Printing system, job processing method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A printing system includes a receive controller that enables by using a user interface unit an input of an instruction during performing of first print processing with a print apparatus, and an operation controller that enables the print apparatus to perform check processing before completion of the first print processing in the case where the instruction is input, the check processing being second print processing by using print data which is used in the first print processing, the operation controller enabling the print apparatus to continue the first print processing after the second print processing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/763,160 filed Jun. 14, 2007, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing system, job processingmethod, and storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional printing industry, a publication is issued throughvarious processes. These processes include entry of a document,designing of the document, layout editing, comprehensive layout(presentation by printing), proofreading (layout correction and colorcorrection), proof (proof print), block copy preparation, printing,post-process, and shipping.

The commercial printing industry uses an offset reproduction printingpress in the printing step, and the block copy preparation step isinevitable. However, once the block copy is prepared, it is difficultand disadvantageous in cost to correct it. In block copy preparation,therefore, careful proofreading (i.e., careful layout check and colorconfirmation) is indispensable. Some period of time is generally takenuntil a publication is issued.

Most of apparatuses used in respective processes are bulky and requireexpert knowledge, and know-how of experts is essential.

In this situation, a POD (Print On Demand) printing system using anelectrophotographic or inkjet print apparatus has been proposed inrecent years (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2004-310746 and2004-310747).

The POD printing system eliminates the aforementioned block copypreparation and other complicated processes.

However, there is room to study on practical use of the POD printingsystem.

Assume that a printing company adopts the POD printing system. In thisprinting environment, it is important to efficiently producecustomer-satisfactory printed materials as many as possible within ashort period.

In this printing environment, the need is expected to confirm by anoperator at the printing site whether the printing system outputscustomer-satisfactory printed materials. Another need is also expectedto continue the print operation of the printing system withoutwastefully stopping it.

Under these circumstances, the need may arise to check printed materialswithout wastefully stopping the print operation of the printing system.

However, this need has not arisen yet, so no concrete proposal has beenmade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system,job processing method, and storage medium which enable a check onprinted materials without wastefully stopping the print operation of theprinting system.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing systemcomprising:

a receive controller that enables by using a user interface unit aninput of an instruction during performing of first print processing witha print apparatus; and

an operation controller that enables the print apparatus to performcheck processing before completion of the first print processing in thecase where the instruction is input, the check processing being secondprint processing by using print data which is used in the first printprocessing, the operation controller enabling the print apparatus tocontinue the first print processing after the second print processing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a job processingmethod comprising the steps of:

enabling by using a user interface unit an input of an instructionduring performing of first print processing with a print apparatus;

enabling the print apparatus to perform check processing beforecompletion of the first print processing in the case where theinstruction is input, the check processing being second print processingby using print data which is used in the first print processing; and

enabling the print apparatus to continue the first print processingafter the second print processing.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an overall POD system 10000;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the internalconfiguration of a printing system 1000;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining an example of theconfiguration of the printing system 1000;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structureof a large-volume stacker;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structureof a glue binding apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an example of the internal structureof a saddle stitching apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of an operation unit 204;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a user interface window;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a user interface window;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a user interface window;

FIG. 11A is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 11B is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 11C is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 11D is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 11E is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 12A is a timing chart for explaining a control example associatedwith the printing system 1000;

FIG. 12B is a timing chart for explaining a control example associatedwith the printing system 1000;

FIG. 13A is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 13B is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 13C is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 13D is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 13E is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 13F is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14A is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14B is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14C is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14D is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14E is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14F is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14G is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 14H is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a control example according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a control example according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a control example according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a control example according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theprinting system 1000;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view for explaining a control example associatedwith the printing system 1000;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view for explaining a control example associatedwith the printing system 1000;

FIG. 23A is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 23B is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 23C is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 23D is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 23E is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 24 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theoperation unit 204;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are timing charts for explaining a control exampleassociated with the printing system 1000;

FIG. 28 is a table for explaining a control example associated with theprinting system 1000;

FIG. 29 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theprinting system 1000; and

FIG. 30 is a view for explaining a control example associated with theprinting system 1000.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

A POD system 10000 in FIG. 1 comprises a printing system 1000, scanner102, server computer 103 (PC 103), and client computer 104 (PC 104),which are connected to each other via a network 101. The POD system10000 also comprises a paper folding apparatus 107, cutting apparatus109, saddle stitching apparatus 110, case binding apparatus 108, and thelike.

The printing system 1000 comprises a print apparatus 100 and sheetprocessing apparatus 200. As the print apparatus 100, the embodimentwill exemplify an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a plurality offunctions such as the copy and printer functions. However, the printapparatus 100 may be a single function type print apparatus having onlythe copy or printer function.

The PC 103 manages data exchange with a variety of apparatuses connectedto the network 101. The PC 104 transmits image data to the printapparatus 100 and PC 103 via the network 101. The paper foldingapparatus 107 folds sheets printed by the print apparatus 100. The casebinding apparatus 108 case-binds sheets printed by the print apparatus100. The cutting apparatus 109 cuts each bundle of sheets printed by theprint apparatus 100. The saddle stitching apparatus 110 saddle-stitchessheets printed by the print apparatus 100.

In the use of the paper folding apparatus 107, case binding apparatus108, cutting apparatus 109, and saddle stitching apparatus 110, the usertakes out sheets printed by the print apparatus 100 from the printingsystem 1000, sets them in an apparatus for use, and causes the apparatusto process them. A plurality of apparatuses in the POD system 10000 ofFIG. 1 except for the saddle stitching apparatus 110 are connected tothe network 101 so as to communicate data with each other.

The configuration of the printing system 1000 will be explained withreference to the system block diagram of FIG. 2.

The print apparatus 100 incorporates units shown in FIG. 2 in theprinting system 1000 except for the sheet processing apparatus 200. Anarbitrary number of sheet processing apparatuses 200 are connectable tothe print apparatus 100.

The printing system 1000 is configured so that the sheet processingapparatus 200 connected to the print apparatus 100 can execute sheetprocessing for sheets printed by the print apparatus 100. It is alsopossible to form the printing system 1000 from only the print apparatus100 without connecting the sheet processing apparatus 200.

The sheet processing apparatus 200 can communicate with the printapparatus 100, and execute sheet processing (to be described later) uponreceiving an instruction from the print apparatus 100. A scanner unit201 scans an image on a document, converts the image into image data,and transfers the image data to another unit. An external I/F 202exchanges data with other apparatuses connected to the network 101. Aprinter unit 203 prints an image based on input image data on a sheet.An operation unit 204 has a hard key input unit (key input unit) 402 andtouch panel unit 401 (to be described later), and accepts an instructionfrom the user via them. The operation unit 204 provides various displayson its touch panel.

A control unit 205 comprehensively controls the processes and operationsof various units and the like in the printing system 1000. The controlunit 205 also controls the operation of the print apparatus 100 and thatof the sheet processing apparatus 200 connected to the print apparatus100. A ROM 207 stores various computer programs to be executed by thecontrol unit 205. For example, the ROM 207 stores programs to cause thecontrol unit 205 to execute various processes of flowcharts to bedescribed later, and display control programs necessary to displayvarious setup windows to be described later. The ROM 207 further storesa program to cause the control unit 205 to interpret PDL (PageDescription Language) code data received from the PC 103, PC 104, or thelike and expand the PDL code data into raster image data. In addition,the ROM 207 stores a boot sequence, font information, and the like. ARAM 208 stores image data sent from the scanner unit 201 and externalI/F 202, various programs loaded from the ROM 207, and settinginformation. The RAM 208 also stores information on the sheet processingapparatus 200 (e.g., information on the number of (0 to n) sheetprocessing apparatuses 200 connected to the print apparatus 100,information on the function of each sheet processing apparatus 200, orthe connection order of the sheet processing apparatuses 200).

An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 209 includes a hard disk, and a drive unitwhich reads/writes data from/in the hard disk. The HDD 209 is alarge-capacity storage device which stores image data input from thescanner unit 201 and external I/F 202 and compressed by acompression/decompression unit 210. The control unit 205 can cause theprinter unit 203 to print image data stored in the HDD 209 on the basisof an instruction from the user. The control unit 205 can also transmitimage data stored in the HDD 209 to an external apparatus such as the PC103 via the external I/F 202 on the basis of an instruction from theuser.

The compression/decompression unit 210 compresses/decompresses imagedata and the like stored in the RAM 208 and HDD 209 in accordance withvarious compression schemes such as JBIG and JPEG.

The configuration of the printing system 1000 will be explained withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the print apparatus100 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 connected to it.

An auto document feeder (ADF) 301 separates a document bundle on thesupport surface of the document tray sequentially in the order of pagesfrom the first document sheet, and feeds each document sheet to theglass document table in order to scan the document sheet by a scanner302.

The scanner 302 scans the image of the document sheet fed onto the glassdocument table, and converts the image into image data by a CCD. Arotary polygon mirror 303 receives a light ray (e.g., a laser beam)modulated in accordance with the image data, and irradiates aphotosensitive drum 304 with the light ray as a reflected scan beam viaa reflecting mirror. A latent image formed by the laser beam on thephotosensitive drum 304 is developed with toner, and the toner image istransferred onto a sheet material on a transfer drum 305. A series ofimage forming processes are executed sequentially with yellow (Y),magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, forming a full-color image.After four image forming processes, the sheet material bearing thefull-color image is separated by a separation gripper 306 from thetransfer drum 305, and conveyed to a fixing unit 308 by a pre-fixingconveyor 307. The fixing unit 308 has a combination of rollers andbelts, and incorporates a heat source such as a halogen heater. Thefixing unit 308 fuses and fixes, by heat and pressure, toner on a sheetmaterial bearing a toner image. A delivery flapper 309 is swingableabout the swing shaft, and regulates the sheet material conveyancedirection. When the delivery flapper 309 swings clockwise in FIG. 3, asheet material is conveyed straight, and discharged outside theapparatus by delivery rollers 310.

The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to executesingle-sided printing according to this sequence.

To form images on the two surfaces of a sheet material, the deliveryflapper 309 swings counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and the course of thesheet material changes downward to supply the sheet material to thedouble-sided conveyor. The double-sided conveyor has a reverse flapper311, reverse rollers 312, a reverse guide 313, and a double-sided tray314. The reverse flapper 311 swings about the swing shaft, and regulatesthe sheet material conveyance direction. To process a double-sided printjob, the control unit 205 controls to swing the reverse flapper 311counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and supply a sheet having the first surfaceprinted by the printer unit 203 to the reverse guide 313 via the reverserollers 312. While the reverse rollers 312 clamp the trailing end of thesheet material, the reverse rollers 312 temporarily stop, the reverseflapper 311 swings clockwise in FIG. 3, and the reverse rollers 312rotate backward. The sheet is switched back to replace its trailing andleading ends, and then the sheet is guided to the double-sided tray 314.The double-sided tray 314 temporarily supports the sheet material, and arefeed roller 315 supplies the sheet material again to registrationrollers 316. At this time, the sheet material is sent while a surfaceopposite to the first surface in the transfer process faces thephotosensitive drum. The second image is formed on the second surface ofthe sheet by the same process as that described above. After the imagesare formed on the two surfaces of the sheet material, the sheetundergoes the fixing process and is discharged outside from the mainbody of the print apparatus 100 via the delivery rollers 310. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to executedouble-sided printing according to this sequence.

The print apparatus 100 comprises a paper feed section which storessheets necessary for print processing. The paper feed section has paperfeed cassettes 317 and 318 (each capable of storing, e.g., 500 sheets),a paper feed deck 319 (capable of storing, e.g., 5,000 sheets), and amanual feed tray 320. The paper feed cassettes 317 and 318 and the paperfeed deck 319 allow setting sheets of different sizes and materialsdiscriminatively in the respective paper feed units. The manual feedtray 320 also allows setting various sheets including a special sheetsuch as an OHP sheet. The paper feed cassettes 317 and 318, the paperfeed deck 319, and the manual feed tray 320 respectively have paper feedrollers, which successively feed sheets one by one.

The sheet processing apparatuses 200 shown in FIG. 3 will be explained.

In the printing system 1000 according to the embodiment, an arbitrarynumber of sheet processing apparatuses 200 of arbitrary types areconnectable as long as they can convey a sheet from an upstreamapparatus to a downstream apparatus via the sheet feeding path. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3, a large-volume stacker 200-3 a, gluebinding apparatus 200-3 b, and saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c areconnected in the order named closer from the print apparatus 100, andselectively available in the printing system 1000. Each sheet processingapparatus 200 has a sheet discharge portion, and the user can take out aprocessed sheet from the sheet discharge portion of the sheet processingapparatus.

The control unit 205 accepts, together with a print execution requestvia the operation unit 204, a request to execute sheet processing of atype desired by the user among sheet processing candidates of typesexecutable by the sheet processing apparatuses 200 connected to theprint apparatus 100. Upon accepting a print execution request for atarget job from the user via the operation unit 204, the control unit205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute print processing necessaryfor the job. The control unit 205 controls to convey printed sheets ofthe job via the sheet feeding path to a sheet processing apparatuscapable of executing sheet processing desired by the user. Then, thecontrol unit 205 causes the sheet processing apparatus to execute thesheet processing.

Assume that a target job whose print execution request is accepted fromthe user requires large-volume stacking processing by the large-volumestacker 200-3 a when the printing system 1000 has a system configurationshown in FIG. 3. This job is called a “stacker job”.

When processing the stacker job in the system configuration of FIG. 3,the control unit 205 controls to convey sheets of the job printed by theprint apparatus 100 into the large-volume stacker 200-3 a via point A inFIG. 3. Then, the control unit 205 causes the large-volume stacker 200-3a to stack the sheets of the job. The control unit 205 causes thelarge-volume stacker 200-3 a to hold the printed materials of the jobstacked in the large-volume stacker 200-3 a at delivery destination Xinside the large-volume stacker 200-3 a without conveying them toanother apparatus (e.g., a succeeding apparatus).

The user can directly take out, from delivery destination X, the printedmaterials of the stacker job held at delivery destination X in FIG. 3.This can omit a series of apparatus operations and user operations toconvey sheets to the most downstream delivery destination Z in the sheetconveyance direction in FIG. 3 and take out the printed materials of thestacker job from delivery destination Z.

Assume that a target job whose print execution request is accepted fromthe user requires sheet processing (e.g., either glue binding of casebinding and pad binding) by the glue binding apparatus 200-3 b in thesystem configuration of FIG. 3. This job is called a “glue binding job”.

When processing the glue binding job in the system configuration of FIG.3, the control unit 205 controls to convey sheets printed by the printapparatus 100 into the glue binding apparatus 200-3 b via points A and Bin FIG. 3. Then, the control unit 205 causes the glue binding apparatus200-3 b to bind the sheets of the job with glue. The control unit 205causes the glue binding apparatus 200-3 b to hold the printed materialsof the job glue-bound by the glue binding apparatus 200-3 b at deliverydestination Y inside the glue binding apparatus 200-3 b withoutconveying them to another apparatus (e.g., a succeeding apparatus).

Assume that a target job whose print execution request is accepted fromthe user requires sheet processing by the saddle stitching apparatus200-3 c in the system configuration of FIG. 3. The sheet processing bythe saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c includes, e.g., saddle stitching,punching, cutting, shift delivery, and folding. This job is called a“saddle stitching job”.

When processing the saddle stitching job by the system configuration inFIG. 3, the control unit 205 controls to convey sheets of the jobprinted by the print apparatus 100 into the saddle stitching apparatus200-3 c via points A, B, and C. Then, the control unit 205 causes thesaddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c to process the sheets of the job. Thecontrol unit 205 causes the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c to holdthe printed materials of its saddle stitching job at deliverydestination Z in the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c.

Delivery destination Z has a plurality of delivery destinationcandidates. This is because the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c canexecute a plurality of types of sheet processes and the deliverydestination changes in each sheet process.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the printing system 1000according to the embodiment allows connecting a plurality of sheetprocessing apparatuses to the print apparatus 100. These sheetprocessing apparatuses can be arbitrarily combined and connected to theprint apparatus 100. The connection order of the sheet processingapparatuses can be freely changed as long as the sheet feeding paths ofthe apparatuses link with each other. There are a plurality of types ofsheet processing apparatus candidates connectable to the print apparatus100.

The internal structures of the sheet processing apparatuses 200connectable to the print apparatus 100 will be explained for each typewith reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

The internal structure of the large-volume stacker applicable as thesheet processing apparatus 200 will be explained with reference to thesectional view shown in FIG. 4. The large-volume stacker conveys a sheetfrom an upstream apparatus selectively to one of three feeding paths: asample tray path, stack path, and straight path.

The stack path in the large-volume stacker is a sheet feeding path forconveying sheets to the stack tray. The stack tray in FIG. 4 is astacking unit mounted on an extensible stay. A demountable trucksupports the extensible stay from below it. With the truck, the operatorcan carry sheets stacked on the stack tray.

Assume that the control unit 205 accepts a request from the user via theoperation unit 204 to execute a job set to perform sheet stackingprocessing by the large-volume stacker. In this case, the control unit205 conveys sheets printed by the print apparatus 100 to the stack pathof the large-volume stacker, and delivers them to the stack tray via thestack path.

The straight path of the large-volume stacker shown in FIG. 4 is a sheetfeeding path for conveying, to a succeeding apparatus, sheets of a jobrequiring no sheet stacking processing using the stack tray of thelarge-volume stacker.

The sample tray path is a sheet feeding path for discharging sheets tothe sample tray. The sample tray path is used to easily take out anoutput material from the stack tray when performing, e.g., workrequiring a check on an output. In this case, for example, the controlunit 205 causes the large-volume stacker to convey sheets printed by theprint apparatus 100 to the sample tray path, and discharge them onto thesample tray.

A plurality of sheet sensors necessary to detect the sheet conveyancestatus and jam are arranged on the sheet feeding path in thelarge-volume stacker.

The CPU (not shown) of the large-volume stacker notifies the controlunit 205 of sheet detection information from each sensor via a signalline for data communication. Based on the information from thelarge-volume stacker, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyancestatus and jam in the large-volume stacker. When another sheetprocessing apparatus is connected between the large-volume stacker andthe print apparatus 100, the CPU (not shown) of the sheet processingapparatus notifies the control unit 205 of sensor information of thelarge-volume stacker.

The internal structure of the glue binding apparatus will be explainedwith reference to the sectional view shown in FIG. 5.

The glue binding apparatus conveys a sheet from an upstream apparatusselectively to one of three feeding paths: a cover path, main body path,and straight path. The glue binding apparatus also has an inserter path.The inserter path is a sheet feeding path for conveying a sheet on theinsertion tray to the cover path.

The straight path of the glue binding apparatus in FIG. 5 is a sheetfeeding path for conveying, to a succeeding apparatus, sheets of a jobrequiring no glue binding by the glue binding apparatus.

The main body path and cover path of the glue binding apparatus shown inFIG. 5 are sheet feeding paths for conveying sheets necessary to createcase-bound printed materials.

For example, when creating case-bound printed materials using the gluebinding apparatus, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 toprint image data of the body on sheets serving as the body of thecase-bound printed materials. Case-bound printed materials of onebooklet are created by wrapping a bundle of body sheets for one bookletwith one cover. The body sheet bundle in case binding will be called a“main body”.

The control unit 205 controls to convey sheets printed by the printapparatus 100 to the main body path shown in FIG. 5. In case binding,the control unit 205 causes the glue binding apparatus to wrap the mainbody printed by the print apparatus 100 with a cover sheet conveyed viathe cover path.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the glue binding apparatus tosequentially stack main body sheets conveyed from an upstream apparatuson the stacking unit via the main body path in FIG. 5. After stackingsheets bearing body data on the stacking unit by the number of sheets ofone booklet, the control unit 205 controls to convey one cover sheetnecessary for the job via the cover path. The control unit 205 controlsa gluing unit in FIG. 5 to glue the spine of the sheet bundle of one setcorresponding to the main body. Then, the control unit 205 controls thegluing unit to bond the spine of the main body to the center of thecover. In bonding the main body to the cover, the main body is conveyedand pushed down in the apparatus. As a result, the cover is folded towrap the main body with one cover. The sheet bundle of one set isstacked on a rotating table in FIG. 5 along the guide.

After the sheet bundle of one set is set on the rotating table in FIG.5, the control unit 205 causes a cutter in FIG. 5 to cut the sheetbundle. At this time, the cutter can execute three-side cuttingprocessing to cut three edges of the sheet bundle of one set other thanan edge serving as the spine.

The control unit 205 uses an aligning unit to push the sheet bundlehaving undergone three-side cutting processing toward a basket, puttingthe sheet bundle into the basket.

The internal structure of the saddle stitching apparatus will beexplained with reference to the sectional view shown in FIG. 6.

The saddle stitching apparatus comprises various units for selectivelyexecuting stapling, cutting, punching, folding, shift delivery, saddlestitching, and the like for sheets from the print apparatus 100. Thesaddle stitching apparatus does not have a straight path for conveyingsheets to a succeeding apparatus. For this reason, the saddle stitchingapparatus is connected last, as shown in FIG. 3, when connecting aplurality of sheet processing apparatuses to the print apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the saddle stitching apparatus has a sample tray andstack tray outside the apparatus, and a booklet tray inside theapparatus.

Upon accepting an instruction to staple sheets by the saddle stitchingapparatus, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching apparatus tosequentially stack sheets printed by the print apparatus 100 on theprocess tray inside the saddle stitching apparatus. After stackingsheets of one bundle on the process tray, the control unit 205 causes astapler to staple them. The control unit 205 causes the saddle stitchingapparatus to discharge the stapled sheet bundle from the process tray tothe stack tray in FIG. 6.

When executing a job for which the control unit 205 accepts aninstruction to Z-fold sheets by the saddle stitching apparatus, thecontrol unit 205 causes a Z-folding unit to Z-fold sheets printed by theprint apparatus 100. The control unit 205 controls to make the foldedsheets pass through the saddle stitching apparatus and deliver them ontoa discharge tray such as the stack tray or sample tray.

Upon accepting an instruction to perform punching by the saddlestitching apparatus, the control unit 205 causes a puncher to punchsheets printed by the print apparatus 100. The control unit 205 controlsto make the punched sheets pass through the saddle stitching apparatusand deliver them onto a discharge tray such as the stack tray or sampletray.

When executing a job for which the control unit 205 accepts aninstruction to saddle-stitch sheets by the saddle stitching apparatus,the control unit 205 causes a saddle stitcher to stitch a bundle ofsheets by one set at two center portions. The control unit 205 causesthe saddle stitcher to clamp the sheet bundle at the center by rollersand fold the sheets into two at the center, thereby creating a bookletsuch as a brochure. The sheet bundle saddle-stitched by the saddlestitcher is conveyed onto the booklet tray.

Upon accepting a cutting instruction for a job for which the controlunit 205 accepts an instruction to saddle-stitch sheets, the controlunit 205 controls to convey a saddle-stitched sheet bundle from thebooklet tray to a trimmer. The control unit 205 causes a cutter to cutthe sheet bundle conveyed to the trimmer, and a booklet holding unit tohold the sheet bundle. The saddle stitching apparatus in FIG. 6 can alsocut three edges of a saddle-stitched sheet bundle.

When the saddle stitching apparatus does not have any trimmer, the usercan take out a sheet bundle bound by the saddle stitcher from thebooklet tray.

The saddle stitching apparatus can also attach a sheet (e.g., a coversheet printed in advance) set on the insertion tray in FIG. 6 to a sheet(printed by the print apparatus 100) conveyed from the print apparatus100.

The arrangement of the operation unit 204 will be described withreference to FIG. 7.

The operation unit 204 comprises the touch panel unit 401 and key inputunit 402. The touch panel unit 401 is formed from an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) and a transparent electrode adhered onto the LCD, and displaysvarious setup windows for accepting an instruction from the user. Thetouch panel unit 401 has both a function of displaying various windowsand an instruction input function of accepting an instruction from theuser. The key input unit 402 comprises a power key 501, start key 503,stop key 502, user mode key 505, and ten-key pad 506. The start key 503is used to cause the print apparatus 100 to execute a copy job and sendjob. The ten-key pad 506 is used to set a numerical value such as thenumber of copies.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to performvarious processes based on user instructions accepted via variouswindows displayed on the touch panel unit 401 and user instructionsaccepted via the key input unit 402.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of a setup window forprompting the user to select the type of sheet processing to be executedfor sheets printed by the print apparatus 100. When the user presses asheet processing setting key 609 shown in FIG. 7 in the window displayedon the touch panel unit 401, the control unit 205 causes the touch panelunit 401 to display the window in FIG. 8. The window in FIG. 8 is asetup window which allows the user to select the type of sheetprocessing executable by the sheet processing apparatus 200 in theprinting system 1000. The control unit 205 accepts, from the user viathe window in FIG. 8, settings of sheet processing to be executed for atarget job, and causes the sheet processing apparatus 200 to execute thesheet processing according to the settings.

A window shown in FIG. 9 is a setup window which allows the user toregister information for specifying the number, types, and connectionorder of sheet processing apparatuses connected to the print apparatus100 in the case where the sheet processing apparatuses 200 are connectedto the print apparatus 100. When the user presses the user mode key 505,the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to display thewindow shown in FIG. 9.

For example, when the printing system 1000 has the system configurationas shown in FIG. 3, the user sets registration information that threesheet processing apparatuses, i.e., the large-volume stacker, gluebinding apparatus, and saddle stitching apparatus are connected to theprint apparatus 100 sequentially from the large-volume stacker, as shownin FIG. 9. The control unit 205 causes the RAM 208 to hold, as systemconfiguration information, the information on the sheet processingapparatuses 200 that is set by the user via the window in FIG. 9. Thecontrol unit 205 properly reads out and refers to the systemconfiguration information. From the system configuration information,the control unit 205 confirms the number, types, and connection order ofsheet processing apparatuses connected to the print apparatus 100.

Assume that the user makes a setting in the window of FIG. 9 to connectthe saddle stitching apparatus having no straight path between sheetprocessing apparatuses. In this case, the control unit 205 causes thetouch panel unit 401 to present an error display and notify the userthat the setting is invalid. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the controlunit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display guidance informationand notify the user of canceling this setting and connecting the saddlestitching apparatus last.

The embodiment exemplifies the operation unit 204 of the print apparatus100 as an example of a user interface unit applied to the printingsystem 1000, but another user interface unit is also available. Forexample, the printing system 1000 may execute processing based on aninstruction from the user interface unit of an external apparatus suchas the PC 103 or PC 104. When the external apparatus remote-controls theprinting system 1000, the display unit of the external apparatusdisplays a setup window relevant to the printing system 1000, as shownin FIG. 10. This will be exemplified using the PC 104. FIG. 10 shows anexample of a window on the display of the PC 104.

Upon accepting a print request from the user, the CPU of the PC 104causes the display to present the window as shown in FIG. 10. The CPUaccepts the settings of print processing conditions from the user of thePC 104 via the window. For example, the CPU of the PC 104 accepts, fromthe user via a setting field 1702, the type of sheet processing to beexecuted by the sheet processing apparatus 200 for a print job subjectedto a print execution request. Upon accepting the print execution requestin response to a press of an OK key in FIG. 10, the CPU of the PC 104associates the print processing conditions accepted via the window withimage data to be printed. The CPU of the PC 104 controls to transmit theresultant data as one job to the printing system 1000 via the network101.

In the printing system 1000, the control unit 205 accepts the printexecution request of the job via the external I/F 202. Then, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to process the job from thePC 104 on the basis of the print processing conditions from the PC 104.

In this manner, various units are available as the user interface of theprinting system 1000.

Various control operations executed for the printing system 1000 by thecontrol unit 205 serving as an example of the control unit of theembodiment will be described.

The printing system 1000 comprises the print apparatus 100 having theprinter unit 203 capable of executing print processing of data in theHDD 209 capable of storing data of jobs. The printing system 1000 isconfigured to connect the print apparatus 100 and a plurality of sheetprocessing apparatuses 200. Each of the sheet processing apparatuses 200connectable to the print apparatus 100 can execute sheet processing(also called finishing or post-processing) for sheets (also calledprinted materials or print media) of a job printed by the printer unit203. Each sheet processing apparatus 200 allows the operator to take outa printed material having undergone sheet processing by the apparatus200. The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment canselectively supply job sheets printed by the printer unit 203 from theprinter unit 203 to the sheet processing apparatuses 200.

The printing system 1000 has a test print function (also called a testcopy function). The printing system 1000 has a check print functiondifferent from the test print function. The control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to selectively execute the operations of thesetwo functions on the basis of an instruction from the operator via theuser interface unit (UI unit) for each target job.

Although the printing system 1000 according to the embodiment has thesetwo functions, the embodiment is also applicable to a configurationhaving only the check print function.

An operation by the test print function will be described first.

Assume that the operator sets “50” copies with the ten-key pad 506 asthe number of copies for a target job while the touch panel unit 401executes the display in FIG. 7. Also assume that the operator sets“staple” by pressing a key 701 in the display of FIG. 8 as a setting offinishing (synonymous with sheet processing and post-processing). Thisjob is a “job requiring printing of 50 copies and stapling”. In thismanner, the target job is a “job requiring printing of copies andrequiring finishing”. In this case, the control unit 205 permitsexecution of the test copy operation for the job, and controls theoperation unit 204 so that the operator can decide whether to executethe test copy operation via the window in FIG. 11A.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to present display contents reflecting the fact that the operatorhas already set the above-described two setting items. In addition, asshown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401to enable the “test copy” button (soft key) which allows the operator todesignate test copy (test print) for the job. When the operator pressesthe active test copy button, the operation unit 204 notifies the controlunit 205 of the information. The control unit 205 determines that it hasaccepted a test copy operation execution request from the operator forthe job, and processes the job as one requiring the test copy operation.

When the target job is not a “job requiring printing of copies andrequiring execution of finishing”, the control unit 205 inhibits theprinting system 1000 from executing the test copy operation for the job.In this case, the control unit 205 inhibits the touch panel unit 401from enabling the “test copy” button. The touch panel unit 401 hatchesor grays out the “test copy” button. Alternatively, the control unit 205inhibits the display of the button (controls to hide the button). Bythis operation, the control unit 205 inhibits acceptance of a test copyoperation execution request from the operator for the job.

Assume that the target job is a “job requiring printing of copies andrequiring execution of finishing”, but the job is being printed. In thiscase, the control unit 205 inhibits acceptance of a test copy operationexecution request from the operator for the job, and inhibits theprinting system 1000 from executing the test copy operation for the job.To the contrary, assume that the target job is not being printed. Inthis case, the control unit 205 permits acceptance of a test copyoperation execution request from the operator for the job, and permitsthe printing system 1000 to execute the test copy operation for the job.The timing when acceptance of the test copy operation execution requestis permitted is before the print operation of the job starts, and beforethe HDD 209 stores print data of the job.

Details of control related to the test copy function of the printingsystem 1000 will be explained.

[Control Related to Test Copy Function of Printing System 1000]

FIG. 12A is a timing chart illustrating the control sequence of the testcopy function executed by the control unit 205 using T0 as a base point.

Assume that the operator presses the “test copy” button in FIG. 11Adisplayed on the touch panel unit 401 under the control of the controlunit 205. In response to this, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 11B.

The display in FIG. 11B allows the operator to designate the type oftest copy to be executed by the printing system 1000 as the test copyoperation of a test copy execution-requested job.

For example, the operator presses an “all pages” button in the displaywindow of FIG. 11B and presses an OK button in FIG. 11B. In response tothe operator operation, the control unit 205 changes the displaycontents of the touch panel unit 401 to a display window in FIG. 11C. Inthe display window in FIG. 11C, execution of the test copy operation forthe target job is finalized. The operator presses the start key 503 inthis state. In response to this, the control unit 205 determines that ithas accepted the test copy execution request of the job from theoperator. Then, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 tostart the test copy operation for the job.

In this case, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 toprint the print data of all the pages of the job once as the test copyoperation for the job on the basis of the aforementioned operatorsetting. After that, the control unit 205 causes the sheet processingapparatus 200 to staple a printed bundle of all the pages by one set. Inthe printing system 1000 of the embodiment, the saddle stitchingapparatus executes this stapling.

Assume that the operator presses the “designated pages” button in thedisplay window of FIG. 11B, and designates arbitrary pages via the“setting field of the range of designated pages” having start and endpage input fields in the display of FIG. 11B. Then, the operator pressesan OK button in FIG. 11B and the start key 503. In response to this, thecontrol unit 205 determines that it has accepted the test copy executionrequest of the job from the operator. The control unit 205 causes theprinting system 1000 to start the test copy operation for the job.

In this case, the control unit 205 inhibits the print apparatus 100 fromprinting print data of all the pages of the job once as the test copyoperation of the job. The control unit 205 causes the print apparatus100 to print only print data of pages set by the operator via thedesignated page range setting fields in the display of FIG. 11B. Forthis job, a stapling execution request is set as a processing condition.However, printing of all pages is inhibited in this test copy operation,so the control unit 205 inhibits the print apparatus 100 from creating aprinted bundle of one set. The control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to inhibit execution of stapling the test copy printedmaterials of the designated pages.

As described above, the embodiment can execute a plurality of types oftest copy operations.

The timing when a test copy operation execution request for the job isaccepted with the start key 503 corresponds to time T0 in FIG. 12A. Thetiming when the test copy operation of the job ends corresponds to timeT1 in FIG. 12A. The period when the print apparatus 100 executes thetest copy operation corresponds to the period from time T0 in FIG. 12Ato time T1 in FIG. 12A, and the test copy operation corresponds to [step1] in FIG. 12A. The period from time T1 in FIG. 12A to time T2 in FIG.12A corresponds to the period when the control unit 205 waits for inputof an operator instruction on a production print operation for the jobhaving undergone the test copy operation. For example, the control unit205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to execute a display illustrated inFIG. 11D upon completion of the test copy operation which started attime T0 in FIG. 12A in the printing system 1000. The control unit 205controls to alternatively accept, from the operator via the displayillustrated in FIG. 11D, one of the following instructions as processingof the job having undergone the test copy operation in [step 1] of FIG.12A.

(Instruction 1)

Instruction 1 is an instruction to cause the printing system 1000 tostart the production print operation for a job (i.e., a job havingundergone the test copy operation in [step 1] of FIG. 12A) withoutchanging any printing condition. When the operator presses the “printstart” key in the display of FIG. 11D, the control unit 205 determinesthat the operator has issued instruction 1. Upon accepting instruction1, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to start theproduction print operation for the job without changing print processingconditions set before test copy. For example, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to execute, in the production printoperation of the job, processing complying with printing conditions setby the operator for the job immediately before time T0 in FIG. 12A. Whenexecuting the test copy operation in [step 1] of FIG. 12A, the controlunit 205 stores print data of all the pages of the job in the HDD 209.The control unit 205 holds the print data in the HDD 209 till thecompletion of the production print operation of the job. In theembodiment, the control unit 205 executes the following processing whenthe production print operation of the job having undergone the test copyoperation is done in [step 3] of FIG. 12A. That is, the control unit 205causes the print apparatus 100 to execute a print operation using printdata of the job that has already been held in the HDD 209 in [step 1] ofFIG. 12A.

(Instruction 2)

Instruction 2 is an instruction to cancel (stop) the start of theproduction print operation for a job having undergone test copy. Whenthe operator presses the “stop” key in the display of FIG. 11D, thecontrol unit 205 determines that the operator has issued instruction 2.Upon accepting instruction 2, the control unit 205 inhibits the printingsystem 1000 from starting the production print operation for the job,and cancels execution of the production print operation for the job.When the production print operation is canceled on the basis ofinstruction 2, the control unit 205 controls to erase, from the HDD 209,print data of all the pages of the job that have been held in the HDD209 in [step 1] of FIG. 12A.

(Instruction 3)

Instruction 3 is an instruction to change the print processingconditions of a job prior to the start of the production print operationof the job. When the operator presses the “change settings” key in thedisplay of FIG. 11D, the control unit 205 determines that the operatorhas issued instruction 3. Upon accepting instruction 3, the control unit205 controls the operation unit 204 so that the operator can change theprocessing conditions of the job before the printing system 1000 startsthe production print operation for the job. For example, when theoperator presses the “change settings” key in FIG. 11D, the control unit205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to execute the display in FIG. 11Ewithout starting the production print operation of the job. The controlunit 205 accepts, from the operator via the display in FIG. 11E, achange of the production printing conditions accepted from the operatorfor the job immediately before time T0 in FIG. 12A. For example, thecontrol unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to enable accepting asetting change of the number of copies, a setting change of finishing, asetting change of the binding margin, a setting change from single-sidedprinting to double-sided one, a setting change from double-sidedprinting to single-sided one, and the like. Upon completion of thesetting change in the display of FIG. 11E, the operator presses the“close” key in FIG. 11E. Then, the control unit 205 controls the touchpanel unit 401 to return to the display in FIG. 11D. If the operatorpresses the “print start” key in the display of FIG. 11D, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute a print operationcomplying with the setting-changed print processing conditions acceptedfrom the operator via the display in FIG. 11E as the production printoperation of the job.

The operation executed by the printing system 1000 during the periodfrom time T1 to time T2 in FIG. 12A corresponds to [step 2] in FIG. 12A.The operation executed by the printing system 1000 when the operatorissues (instruction 2) or (instruction 3) corresponds to [step 3]starting from time T2 in FIG. 12A. That is, in [step 3] from time T2 inFIG. 12A, the control unit 205 starts the production print operation ofa job having undergone the test copy operation in [step 1] of FIG. 12A.

Execution of the test copy operation requires the operation in [step 2]of FIG. 12A as an intervention operation by the operator between [step1] of FIG. 12A and [step 3] of FIG. 12A. The control unit 205 controlsnot to start the production print operation in [step 3] of FIG. 12Aunless the operator inputs an explicit request in [step 2] of FIG. 12A.The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to shift to theoperation in [step 3] of FIG. 12A in response to an input from theoperator via the “print start” key in FIG. 11D in [step 2] of FIG. 12A.

In [step 3] of FIG. 12A, one of the following operations is executed asthe production print operation of a job having undergone the test copyoperation.

Assume that the operator changes settings in [step 2] of FIG. 12A. Inthis case, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to executeprint processing of the job as the production print operation of the jobunder the setting-changed printing conditions by the number of copiesaccepted before executing test copy. To the contrary, assume that theoperator does not change settings in [step 2] of FIG. 12A. In this case,the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute printprocessing of the job as the production print operation of the job underprinting conditions accepted immediately before T0 in FIG. 12A, i.e.,unchanged printing conditions accepted before executing test copy. Asfor a job for which the operator designates “all pages” in test copy,the control unit 205 controls to set the number of copies in theproduction print operation by subtracting one from the total number ofcopies accepted before test copy.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the production printed materials of a job subjected totest copy to the same destination as that of the test copy printedmaterials of the job.

Assume that the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shownin FIG. 3, and a test copy operation execution request is accepted fromthe operator for a job for which “saddle stitching” is designated asfinishing (sheet processing) by the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 cshown in FIG. 3. In this case, the control unit 205 causes the printerunit 203 to print the print data of the job on print media necessary forthe job, thereby obtaining the test copy printed materials of the job.Thereafter, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching apparatus200-3 c in FIG. 3 to saddle-stitch the printed media. The control unit205 causes the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c in FIG. 3 to outputthe printed materials to an undermost destination in the apparatus amongthree destinations Z of the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c in FIG.3. Note that the printing system 1000 creates test copy printedmaterials of one set (i.e., a printed bundle of one copy). The controlunit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute the series of testcopy operations in [step 1] of FIG. 12A. To create the productionprinted materials of the job, the control unit 205 causes the printerunit 203 to print the print data of the job on print media necessary forthe job. The control unit 205 causes the saddle stitching apparatus200-3 c in FIG. 3 to execute saddle stitching corresponding to finishingrequested by the operator for the printed media. The control unit 205causes the saddle stitching apparatus 200-3 c in FIG. 3 to output theproduction printed materials to the same destination as that of the testcopy printed materials of the job (i.e., the undermost destination inthe apparatus among three destinations Z of the saddle stitchingapparatus 200-3 c in FIG. 3). The control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to create production printed materials by the number ofcopies calculated by subtracting one from the total number of copies setby the operator immediately before T0 in FIG. 12A.

In this manner, according to the embodiment, the control unit 205enables the printing system 1000 to execute in [step 3] of FIG. 12A theprint operation of outputting the production printed materials of a jobsubjected to test copy to the same destination as that of the test copyprinted materials of the job.

The condition under which it is permitted to accept the executionrequest of the check print function (to be described later) from theoperator, and the timing when the request is accepted are different fromthose for the test copy function. Control related to the printedmaterial destination is also different between the check print function(to be described later) and the test copy function.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment can executediscriminative control operations between the test copy function and thecheck print function (to be described later). When executing the checkprint function (to be described later), the control unit 205 performscontrol different (discriminative) from that for the test copy function.

The test copy function is considered to be necessary even in the officeenvironment. For example, the user may want to create the printedmaterials of a target job in a desired output form without anyunintended output or failure. Preferably, the user may want to check theoutput form before the start of creating the production printedmaterials of the job, and if the output form needs to be corrected,change the print processing conditions of the job and then createproduction printed materials. This need is considered to arise not onlyin a printing environment such as the POD environment but also in theoffice environment.

However, a digital printing system requested in the printing environmentsuch as the POD environment must consider other needs in addition tothose which can be met by the test copy function.

For example, in a printing environment such as the office environment,it suffices to consider only one job of the user in most cases, and onlythe test copy function is sufficient. However, in a printing environmentsuch as the POD environment, it does not suffice to consider only onejob, and the productivity of all print jobs accepted by the printingsystem and the qualities of these print jobs are also important.

In a printing environment such as the POD environment, the client whorequests creation of printed materials is a customer, and the operatorwho operates the printing system is a worker in a printing company. Inthis printing environment, demands to receive printed material creationrequests from customers as many as possible and quickly process the jobswithin a short period are assumed. To cope with this situation, theprinting system will need to efficiently create customer-satisfactoryprinted materials as many as possible within a short period.

To meet these demands, according to the embodiment, the printing system1000 comprises various configurations associated with the check printfunction (to be described later). With these configurations, the printoperation of the printing system 1000 can continue without wastefullystopping even while, for example, the operator executes check work onthe quality of printed materials. The printing system 1000 is configuredto continuously process a plurality of jobs without undesirablydecreasing the operating ratio of the printing system 1000.

Control related to the check print function will be described.

[Control Related to Check Print Function of Printing System 1000]

The check print function according to the embodiment is a function ofcausing the printing system 1000 to create the check printed material ofa target job during the period from the start to end of the printoperation of the job by the printing system 1000.

For example, the control unit 205 accepts a print execution request fora target job from the operator via the operation unit 204. In responseto the print execution request, the control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to start the print operation of the job. The control unit205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept a check print operationexecution request from the operator for the job being printed while theprinting system 1000 actually executes the print operation. Further, thecontrol unit 205 accepts a check print request from the operator for thejob while the printer unit 203 executes the print operation of the job.In response to the check print request from the operator, the controlunit 205 interrupts the print operation of the job in progress by theprinter unit 203. Immediately after the printing system 1000 interruptsthe print operation of the job subjected to the check print operation,the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute thecheck print operation of the job. In the check print operation, theprinting system 1000 creates the check printed materials of the checkprint-requested job. In the check print operation, the control unit 205reads out print data of the print operation-interrupted job from the HDD209, and causes the print apparatus 100 to execute print processing.Immediately upon completion of the check print operation, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to automatically resume(continue) the interrupted print operation of the job.

A print operation, processing of which is interrupted in response to acheck print operation execution request and automatically resumes in theprinting system 1000 at the end of the check print operation, will bereferred to as the production print operation of a job having undergonethe check print operation, or as the print operation of a checkprint-requested job. A printed material created by the print operationof a job subjected to check print will be referred to as the productionprinted material of a job subjected to the check print operation, or theprinted material of a check print-requested job. In contrast, a printedmaterial created by the check print operation will be referred to as thecheck printed material of a check print-requested job.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to selectively execute the first and second type check printoperations as the check print operation on the basis of an instructionfrom the operator.

The first type check print operation is to cause the printing system1000 to print the print data of all pages once (i.e., by one set) usedin the production print operation of a check print-requested job.

The second type check print operation is to cause the printing system1000 to print only print data of one page of a check print-requestedjob. In the second type check print operation, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to print a page being printed when theoperator inputs a check print request via the operation unit 204.

Assume that the printing system 1000 has started the print operation ofa job of 100-page document data. The operator inputs the check printrequest of the job via the operation unit 204 at the timing when theprinter unit 203 prints the 25th page. Further, the operator issues acheck print request for only one page. In this case, the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to print, as the check printoperation, only print data of the 25th page being printed upon receivingthe check print request. According to the embodiment, the printingsystem 1000 is configured to issue a paper feed command to the printerunit 203 for each page. In the second type check print operation,therefore, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toprint the same page as that for which the paper feed command has beenissued upon receiving the check print request. According to theembodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toexecute the second type check print operation of printing only the samepage as one being printed upon receiving the check print request.

The operator of the printing system 1000 checks the result of a checkprinted material created and output by the check print operationaccording to the embodiment. The printing system 1000 according to theembodiment is configured to selectively execute at least the followingthree processes in response to a request from the operator who haschecked the output result of the check printed material.

[1. Example of Processing Executed by Printing System 1000 under Controlof Control Unit 205 in Accordance with Request from Operator WhoConfirmed Check Printed Material Output by Check Print—Cancel (Stop)Production Printing]

Assume that, as a result of a visual check, the operator determines thatthe check printed material of a job having undergone the check printoperation does not meet a desired output form. Based on a request fromthe operator, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tostop (cancel) the production print operation of the job that hasautomatically resumed in the printing system 1000 immediately afterexecuting the check print operation. As a result, the processing of thejob forcibly ends. The control unit 205 accepts a request from theoperator via a key 2401F of a window 2400F in FIG. 14F (to be describedlater).

[2. Example of Processing Executed by Printing System 1000 under Controlof Control Unit 205 in Accordance with Request from Operator WhoConfirmed Check Printed Material Output by Check Print—Change PrintProcessing Conditions Specific to Production Print Job Subjected toCheck Print]

Assume that, as a result of a visual check, the operator determines thata check printed material does not meet a desired output form. Based on arequest from the operator, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to suspend the production print operation of the job thathas automatically resumed in the printing system 1000 immediately afterexecuting the check print operation. During the suspension, the controlunit 205 accepts a setting from the operator via the operation unit 204to change the output form of the job. For example, the control unit 205can accept a setting change of the type of print medium necessary forthe production print operation of a job, and a setting change of theprint density. As other setting change targets, the control unit 205 canalso accept a setting change of increasing/decreasing the number ofcopies, and a setting change of post-processing such as stapling. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to accept a settingchange of print processing conditions specific to the job from theoperator. The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tocreate and output production printed materials again from the beginningunder the changed print processing conditions on the basis of a requestfrom the operator. In this way, the operator can change settingsspecific to a job subjected to check print. The control unit 205 acceptsa suspension request from the operator via a key 2401D of a window 2400Din FIG. 14D (to be described later). The control unit 205 accepts asetting change from the operator via a window 2300A in FIG. 13F or awindow 2400C in FIG. 14C (to be described later).

[3. Example of Processing Executed by Printing System 1000 under Controlof Control Unit 205 in Accordance with Request from Operator WhoConfirmed Check Printed Material Output by Check Print—Change PrintProcessing Conditions Which Commonly Influence Print Jobs Including JobsOther Than Production Print Job Subjected to Check Print]

This case is applied when the operator visually checks a check printedmaterial and determines that device-specific adjustment values of theprinting system 1000 that influence not only the target job but alsoother jobs must be changed. This corresponds to, e.g., a case where theoperator confirms the output result of check print and determines thatthe device-specific adjustment values (parameters) of the printingsystem 1000 including the print apparatus 100 must be corrected. Thedevice-specific parameters include parameters (e.g., the temperature ofthe fixing unit of the printer unit 203 and the print medium conveyancespeed) directly related to print processing of the printing system 1000,and a print density value serving as a reference value of the apparatus.In the embodiment, the device-specific parameters include at least thefollowing four parameters:

(1) adjustment of the creep (shift) correction amount of the printposition on a print medium

(2) automatic tone correction

(3) density correction

(4) text/background contrast adjustment

When such an adjustment value is changed, the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to reflect the adjustment value change resultin the printout result of a print job from the printing system 1000including the print apparatus 100. That is, these device-specificadjustment values (parameters) are also condition values which influenceprint processing of a target job. In the embodiment, the device-specificadjustment values (parameters) are also an example of the printprocessing conditions of a target print job.

In addition to these adjustment values, the embodiment also assumeselements which change a printout result, such as the feeder of thescanner unit 201 of the print apparatus 100, the wire of the printerunit 203, and various rollers for conveying a print medium. Thesemembers get dirty depending on the use frequency and use period. In thiscase, the members are cleaned to obtain a higher-quality output result.Thus, according to the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to execute at least one of the following threemeasures on the basis of a request from the operator after executingcheck print:

(1) cleaning of the feeder

(2) cleaning of the wire

(3) cleaning of the rollers

Assume that the control unit 205 causes various relevant units of theprinting system 1000 to clean these members. Also in this case, theprintout result of a print job from the printing system 1000 includingthe print apparatus 100 changes. Cleaning the members of the printingsystem 1000 is also processing which influences print processing of atarget job. Hence, cleaning the members of the printing system 1000 isalso an example of changing the print processing conditions of a targetprint job.

The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to change thedevice-specific processing conditions (parameters) of the printingsystem 1000 in accordance with an operator operation after executing thecheck print operation. Then, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to process a target job having undergone check print by aprint process according to the changed device-specific parameters. Inaddition, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toprocess jobs other than the target job, such as another queued job, bythe print process according to the changed device-specific parameters.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to successivelyprocess a plurality of jobs by the printing system 1000 after executingcheck print and changing, on the basis of an operator request,device-specific processing conditions which influence the printprocessing conditions of the jobs. This is also different from theabove-described test copy function.

Assume that the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute the test copy operation. In this case, the control unit 205controls to change, in accordance with an instruction accepted from theoperator via the operation unit 204, “print processing conditionsrelating to the print operation of a job subjected to the test copyoperation but not relating to the print operation of another job”. Tothe contrary, assume that the control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to execute the check print operation. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 controls to change, in accordance with an instructionaccepted from the operator via the operation unit 204, “print processingconditions relating to the print operation of a job subjected to thetest copy operation and also relating to the print operation of anotherjob”. The control unit 205 accepts a setting change from the operatorvia, e.g., the window 2400C in FIG. 14C (to be described later) afterexecuting check print.

The configuration relevant to check print will be further explained withreference to FIGS. 12B to 14H and the like.

Assume that the control unit 205 causes the operation unit 204 toexecute the display in FIG. 7. The display processing corresponds to aprocess in step S101 of FIG. 16 (to be described later). Assume that thecontrol unit 205 accepts a series of printing conditions of a target jobfrom the operator via the display in FIG. 7. The processing to acceptprinting conditions corresponds to a process in step S102 of FIG. 16 (tobe described later). This job will be referred to as job X. Job X is ajob to scan a document of 10 pages in total by the scanner unit 201 andprint the print data of the scanned document by the printer unit 203 viathe HDD 209.

Also assume that the operator sets the following illustrative processingconditions as the printing conditions of job X via the display in FIG.7:

(1) “paper size=A3 size, and paper type=thick paper” as settings of aprint medium necessary for printing

(2) copy ratio=100%

(3) finishing setting=stapling

(4) total copy count=100 copies

The operator sets the parameters of processing conditions (1) to (4) viathe operation unit 204 executing the display in FIG. 7. In this case,the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to reflect thesetting contents by the operator. For example, the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 to update the display contents of thetouch panel unit 401 of the operation unit 204 from those in FIG. 7 tothose in FIG. 13A.

As is apparent from the setting conditions shown in FIG. 13A, job X is a“job requiring printing of copies and requiring execution of finishing”.In this case, similar to the above-mentioned case, the control unit 205permits acceptance of a test copy operation execution instruction fromthe operator for job X. Then, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to enable the “test copy” key as in the window shown inFIG. 13A as a key used to input a test copy execution instruction fromthe operator for job X. When the operator presses the “test copy” key inFIG. 13A, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 toexecute the display in FIG. 11B. The control unit 205 accepts thesettings of the test copy operation for job X from the operator via thedisplay in FIG. 11B. As described with reference to FIG. 12A, thecontrol unit 205 enables the printing system 1000 to execute the testcopy operation even for job X. The control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to execute the production print operation of job Xafter executing the test copy operation of job X.

A case where the production print operation of job X starts will bedescribed. Assume that the operator presses the start key 503 while thetouch panel unit 401 executes the display in FIG. 13A. Then, the controlunit 205 determines that it has accepted the print operation executionrequest of job X from the operator via the operation unit 204.Determination of whether the print execution request (print startrequest) has been accepted corresponds to a process in step S103 of FIG.16. This print operation corresponds to the production print operationof job X subjected to the check print operation. The timing when theproduction print operation of job X starts corresponds to time T0 inFIG. 12B.

As described above, the operator presses the start key 503 while thetouch panel unit 401 displays the window in FIG. 13A. Assume that theHDD 209 does not hold any print-requested job except for job X when theoperator presses the start key 503. If this condition is satisfied, thecontrol unit 205 responds to the print execution request of job X fromthe operator, and causes the printing system 1000 to start a series ofprint operations of job X. As the series of print operations of job X,the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute thefollowing operations.

Upon accepting the print execution request of job X from the operatorvia the start key 503, as described above, the control unit 205 causesthe scanner unit 201 to scan a 10-page document of job X sequentiallyfrom the first page. Simultaneously when causing the printing system1000 to start the scan operation, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to execute a display which prompts the operator toconfirm the progress (processing status) of job X. For example, thecontrol unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display a windowshown in FIG. 13B. The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to popup-display the window 2300A at the timing when the printexecution request of job X is accepted from the operator. The processingto popup-display the window 2300A corresponds to a process in step S104of FIG. 16 (to be described later). The window 2300A is a job processingstatus window capable of notifying the operator in real time of theprogress such as the processing status of a job for which the printoperation has started. The job processing status window 2300A is a“print status window” described in FIG. 16.

The control unit 205 acquires status information of job X from each unitwhich executes an operation (e.g., scan operation, storage operation,print operation, or finishing operation of job X) necessary to completea series of print operations of job X. The control unit 205 controls thetouch panel unit 401 to reflect the status information in the displaycontents of the window 2300A.

In performing the series of print operations of job X, the control unit205 causes the scanner unit 201 to scan the 10-page document of job Xsequentially from the first page, as described above. The control unit205 causes the HDD 209 to sequentially store print data of the scannedjob X. The storage processing corresponds to step S105 in FIG. 16 (to bedescribed later). Assume that the HDD 209 has not completely storedprint data of the first page of job X in this stage. For example, thecontrol unit 205 has not yet received a data storage informationnotification from the HDD 209. In this case, the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 to change the display contents of thewindow 2300A representing the processing status of job X to those shownin FIG. 13B.

The display contents of the window shown in FIG. 13B contain a message“reading a job (job X in this example) of acceptance number 0001.” as adisplay for prompting the operator to confirm that print data of job Xis read from the HDD 209. The window shown in FIG. 13B allows theoperator to confirm that job X requires printing of 100 copies, butneither one copy nor one sheet has been printed.

A display field 2300 at the bottom of windows illustrated in FIGS. 13Ato 14H and 15 is a status display portion capable of displaying statusinformation when there is status information of high priority to beannounced to the operator. For example, no actual processing of job Xhas started yet in the state of FIG. 13A. In this case, the control unit205 controls the touch panel unit 401 not to display any statusinformation in the display field 2300, as shown in FIG. 13A. In thestate of FIG. 13B, read of job X from the HDD 209 is in progress. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 todisplay information representing the processing status of job X in thedisplay field 2300.

Assume that the progress of job X changes from the state in which thetouch panel unit 401 displays the window in FIG. 13B. For example, printdata of the first page of job X is transferred at least from the scannerunit 201 to the HDD 209. The control unit 205 receives this informationfrom the HDD 209. In response to this, the control unit 205 causes theprinter unit 203 to start printing the print data of the first page ofjob X that is stored in the HDD 209. At this time, the control unit 205causes the printing system 1000 to execute a storage operation ofstoring print data of subsequent pages of job X in the HDD 209, inparallel with the print operation of the first page of job X.

Further, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 toupdate the display contents of the job processing status window 2300Arepresenting the processing status of job X from contents shown in FIG.13B to those shown in FIG. 13C, so as to cope with a change of theprogress of job X.

The display contents of the display shown in FIG. 13C are updated sothat the operator can confirm that the print operation of print data ofjob X is in execution at the same time as the storage operation of printdata of job X in the HDD 209. For example, the display in FIG. 13C showsa message “reading+printing in progress for a job (job X in thisexample) of acceptance number 0001.” The window in FIG. 13C allows theoperator to confirm that job X requires printing of 100 copies and thefirst sheet of the first copy (printing of the first set) is beingprinted. To notify the operator of this information even after the popupdisplay of the window 2300A disappears, the control unit 205 alsodisplays the same information in the display field 2300, as shown inFIG. 13C.

The stage in which the touch panel unit 401 displays the window in FIG.13C corresponds to the stage in which the printer unit 203 has startedthe print operation of job X and job X is being printed. That is, job Xcorresponds to a job being printed by the printer unit 203. In thiscase, the control unit 205 permits acceptance of a check print requestfrom the operator to output the check printed material of job X from theprinting system 1000. The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to accept a check print request from the operator for job X oncondition that job X is being printed.

For example, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 toenable a key 2301A in the window 2300A, as shown in FIG. 13C. Thecontrol unit 205 accepts, via the active key 2301A, the check printrequest of job X corresponding to a job being printed.

Assume that job X is not a job being printed by the printer unit 203. Inthis case, the control unit 205 inhibits acceptance of a check printrequest from the operator for job X.

For example, in the stage of FIG. 13B, the storage operation of job X inthe HDD 209 has started, but printing of print data of job X has notstarted. In this case, the control unit 205 inhibits acceptance of acheck print request for job X in the stage of FIG. 13B. The control unit205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to disable the key 2301A so thatthe operator cannot press the key 2301A, as shown in FIG. 13B. In thisfashion, when the target job in the printing system 1000 is not a jobbeing printed, the control unit 205 controls to inhibit acceptance ofthe check print request of the job from the operator. As a method ofdisabling the key 2301A, the key 2301A may be grayed out, as shown inFIG. 13B, hatched, or hidden.

Then, assume that the progress of job X changes from the display of FIG.13C. For example, the scanner unit 201 transfers all the pages of the10-page document of job X to the HDD 209. The HDD 209 completely storesall the 10 pages of job X. Print data of job X from the HDD 209 is beingprinted in order to completely print a total of 100 copies necessary forjob X. The control unit 205 acquires various pieces of information fromthe operation unit 204, scanner unit 201, HDD 209, and printer unit 203to specify this situation. In this way, even when the processing statuschanges, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 toupdate the display contents of the window 2300A to ones based on theacquired pieces of information.

For example, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 tochange the display contents of the window 2300A representing theprocessing status of job X to those shown in FIG. 13D, so as to copewith a change of the progress of job X.

The display shown in FIG. 13D allows the operator to confirm that thestorage operation of print data of job X in the HDD 209 is complete andthe print data of job X is being printed. For example, the window inFIG. 13D displays a message “printing in progress for a job (job X inthis example) of acceptance number 0001.” The window in FIG. 13Dnotifies the operator that job X is a job requiring printing of 100copies in total, and the 10th sheet of the third copy (printing of thethird set) is being printed. The display stage in FIG. 13D alsocorresponds to a stage in which job X is being printed, similar to thedisplay stage in FIG. 13C. Also in this case, the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 to enable the “check print” key 2301Ain the window 2300A, as shown in the display of FIG. 13D. In thismanner, when a print execution-request target job is a job beingprinted, the control unit 205 controls to permit (enable) acceptance ofa check print request from the operator for the job. To notify theoperator of the job processing status even after the popup display ofthe window 2300A disappears, the control unit 205 controls the touchpanel unit 401 to display the job processing status even in the displayfield 2300.

As described above, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to update the display contents of the window 2300A in real time fora print execution-requested job in synchronism with the processingstatus of the job in the printing system 1000. For example, the controlunit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to sequentially update thedisplay contents of the window 2300A representing the processing statusof job X in accordance with the progress of job X in the printing system1000. The control unit 205 also controls the touch panel unit 401 tochange the display contents of the display field 2300 at the bottom ofthe touch panel unit 401 to those synchronized with the processingstatus of the target job.

The control unit 205 decides whether to accept the check print requestof a target job on the basis of whether the printing system 1000 isprinting the print execution-requested job. For example, the controlunit 205 controls the operation unit 204 so that the operator can pressthe key 2301A as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D on condition that theprinter unit 203 is printing job X. By this control, the control unit205 permits acceptance of the check print request of job X from theoperator via the key 2301A. As described above, when the target jobwhose print execution request has been issued is a job being printed,the control unit 205 controls to permit (enable) acceptance of a checkprint request from the operator for the job.

In contrast, when job X is not being printed, the control unit 205disables the key 2301A so that the operator cannot press it, as shown inFIG. 13B, and inhibits acceptance of a check print request from theoperator for job X. In this fashion, when the print execution-requestedtarget job is not a job being printed, the control unit 205 controls toinhibit (disable) acceptance of a check print request from the operatorfor the job.

Assume that the operator presses the active key 2301A in the jobprocessing status window 2300A of FIG. 13D while the touch panel unit401 executes the display in FIG. 13D. In response to the key operation,the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to execute adisplay shown in FIG. 13E. This processing corresponds to a case whereYES is determined in step S109 of FIG. 16 and the process advances tostep S110 (to be described later).

A window 2300B shown in FIG. 13E is a display window which allows theoperator to decide which of the first and second type check printoperations is to be executed for a job subjected to a check printoperation. The window 2300B in FIG. 13E corresponds to a “check printtype selection window” described in FIG. 16.

An “all pages” key 2301B in the window 2300B is a display key whichallows the operator to input an instruction to cause the printing system1000 to execute the first type check print operation for a job for whichexecution of the check print operation is permitted.

An “one page (auto)” key 2302B in the window 2300B is a display keywhich allows the operator to input an instruction to cause the printingsystem 1000 to execute the second type check print operation for a jobfor which execution of the check print operation is permitted.

The control unit 205 controls to alternatively select the keys 2301B and2302B. The control unit 205 controls to select the key 2302B in thewindow 2300B except a case where the operator selects the key 2301B.When the operator decides either check print operation by selectingeither key, and presses a “print start” key 2304B in the display of FIG.13E, the control unit 205 determines that it has accepted a check printoperation execution request from the operator. If the operator does notpress the key 2304B, the control unit 205 controls not to start anycheck print operation for the job for which execution of the check printoperation is permitted.

For example, at present, the operation unit 204 executes the display inFIG. 13E, and the operator has not pressed the key 2304B. Thisdetermination corresponds to a case where NO is determined in step S111of FIG. 16 (to be described later). In this status, the control unit 205inhibits starting the check print operation of job X. The control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to continue the production printoperation of job X by the printing system 1000 in order to complete theproduction print operation of job X. The control unit 205 controls thetouch panel unit 401 to update the display contents of the jobprocessing status window for job X in synchronism with the print statusso as to notify the operator of this status in real time.

Regarding this point, for example, the third copy (third set) of job Xrequiring printing of 100 copies of 10-page print data by the productionprint operation is being printed in the display stage of FIG. 13D. Thecontrol unit 205 causes the operation unit 204 to execute the display inFIG. 13E. In addition, the control unit 205 confirms that the operatorhas not pressed the key 2304B in the display of FIG. 13E. In thissituation, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 tocontinue the production print operation of job X permitted as the targetof the check print operation. For example, the control unit 205 confirmsthat the printer unit 203 is printing the fourth copy (fourth set) ofjob X. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to notify the operator that “printing in progress for job X ofacceptance number 0001, and the fourth copy (fourth set) out of a totalof 100 copies (100 sets) is being printed”. For example, even while thewindow 2300B is kept displayed, the control unit 205 controls to displaya message “0001 copy printing in progress ( 4/100)” as the processingstatus of job X in the display field 2300, as shown in FIG. 13E.

Then, assume that the operator presses the “all pages” key 2301B in thewindow 2300B of FIG. 13E and then presses the “print start” key 2304B.In response to the key operation, the control unit 205 determines thatthe operator has input a first type check print operation executionrequest. This determination corresponds to a case where YES isdetermined in step S111 of FIG. 16 (to be described later). In responseto the input request, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to stop (interrupt) the production print operation of job Xcorresponding to a job in execution in the printing system 1000. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to start the firsttype check print operation as the check print operation of job X withoutexecuting the second type check print operation immediately afterinterrupting the production print operation of job X.

To the contrary, assume that the operator presses the “one page (auto)”key 2302B in the window 2300B of FIG. 13E and then presses the “printstart” key 2304B. In response to the key operation, the control unit 205determines that the operator has input a second type check printoperation execution request. In this case, the control unit 205 stops(interrupts) the production print operation of job X corresponding to ajob in execution in the printing system 1000. The control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to start the second type check printoperation as the check print operation of job X without executing thefirst type check print operation immediately after interrupting theproduction print operation of job X.

In the “first type check print operation” which starts in the printingsystem 1000 instead of the production print operation, print data of alltarget pages are printed once by one set in the production printoperation. In this example, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to print once print data of 10 pages of job X as the firsttype check print operation of job X.

In contrast, in the “second type check print operation” which starts inthe printing system 1000 instead of the production print operation, onlyone specific page out of all target pages is printed by one set in theproduction print operation. In the embodiment, the control unit 205controls to print a page being printed upon input of a check printrequest. For example, the operator presses the “one page (auto)” key2302B in the window 2300B, and presses the “print start” key 2304B. Atthe timing when the operator inputs an instruction via the key 2304B,the control unit 205 instructs the printer unit 203 to start printingthe seventh page of job X as the print operation of the fourth set ofjob X. In this stage, the control unit 205 reads out print data of theseventh page of job X from the HDD 209, and issues a paper feed commandto the printer unit 203 to feed one print medium from the paper feedunit in order to print the seventh page. The control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to print only the print data of the seventhpage of job X on one print medium as the second type check printoperation immediately after interrupting the production print operationof job X. When the operator presses the key 2302B and then the key2304B, the control unit 205 confirms a page number which is to beprinted in the production print operation of the job. The control unit205 controls to print only the confirmed page in the check printoperation. In this manner, a page to be printed in the second type checkprint operation is automatically decided on the basis of the timing whenthe operator inputs a check print request. The decided page is printedon one print medium.

Assume that the operator presses a “cancel” key 2303B in FIG. 13E. Inresponse to the key operation, the control unit 205 cancels check printsettings for a job for which execution of the check print operation ispermitted. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the operationunit 204 to end the popup display of the window 2300B and display again,on the touch panel unit 401, the window 2300A representing the progressof the job. In this case, for example, the window 2300A for job X isdisplayed again.

The embodiment has described a configuration in which the control unit205 itself automatically specifies a print page subjected to checkprint, and controls to print only the specific page on one print mediumin the second type check print operation. However, the printing system1000 may employ another configuration. For example, the operator pressesthe key 2302B, and specifies one arbitrary page among print data of ajob for which execution of check print is permitted. In response topress of the key 2304B after the selection of the arbitrary page by theoperator, the control unit 205 controls to print out the print data ofthe arbitrary page designated by the operator on one print medium. Thisconfiguration is also applicable. Even in this configuration, the checkprint request is based on the condition that the job is being printed.

As described above, the operator designates either the key 2301B or key2302B in the window 2300B of FIG. 13E in order to select the type ofcheck print, and further designates the key 2304B in order to input acheck print request. Then, the control unit 205 determines that theoperator has issued the check print request. This processing correspondsto a case where YES is determined in step S111 of FIG. 16 (to bedescribed later). In response to this, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to automatically interrupt (stop) the productionprint operation of job X. This processing corresponds to a process instep S114 of FIG. 16 (to be described later). The control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to automatically start a check printoperation of a type selected by the operator in the window 2300B ascheck print of job X after interrupting the production print operationof job X. This processing corresponds to a process in step S115 of FIG.16 (to be described later). Assume that the printing system 1000completes (ends) the check print operation for job X. At the end of thecheck print operation of job X, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to automatically resume (continue) the productionprint operation of job X. These processes correspond to those in stepsS116 and S117 of FIG. 16 (to be described later).

Assume that the printing system 1000 resumes the production printoperation of a job having undergone the check print operation. In theresumed operation, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 not to print part of the job which has already been printedimmediately before the operator inputs the execution request of thecheck print operation. The control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to print only part (remaining part) of the job which has not beenprinted immediately before executing the check print operation.

For example, job X subjected to the check print operation is a “jobrequiring printing of a series of 10-page print data by 100 copies (100sets) in total” as the production print operation. In theabove-mentioned example, up to the seventh page of the fourth copy(fourth set) has been printed by the production print operation of job Ximmediately before the operator inputs a check print operation executionrequest for job X using the key 2304B in FIG. 13E. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to sequentiallyexecute the following operations as the production print operation ofjob X that automatically resumes at the end of the check printoperation.

(1) The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to print theprint data of the eighth to 10th pages of job X page by page using threeprint sheets in order to completely print the fourth copy (fourth set).

(2) The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to completelyprint the fifth set to the final 100th set.

More specifically, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000to print 953 sheets corresponding to the sum of [three remaining printsheets of the fourth set] and [(10 sheets×95 sets) for printing of thefifth to 100th sets].

When performing the check print operation in the embodiment, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to automatically execute thefollowing operations in series.

[Operation 1] The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 tostart the print operation of a target job in response to a printexecution request input from the operator using the start key 503. Thisprint operation corresponds to the production print operation of atarget job subjected to the check print operation. The start timing ofthe print operation corresponds to time T0 in FIG. 12B. [Operation 1]corresponds to the operation in [step 1] of FIG. 12B executed by theprinting system 1000 during the period immediately before time TX aftertime T0 in FIG. 12B.

[Operation 2] The control unit 205 interrupts the production printoperation in response to input of a check print operation executionrequest from the operator using the key 2304B. The control unit 205causes the printing system 1000 to automatically start the check printoperation of the job immediately after interrupting the production printoperation. In the check print operation, print processing is executedusing print data of the print operation-interrupted job. Assume that theoperator presses the key 2301B in the window 2300B before the input fromthe key 2304B. In this case, the control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to execute the first type check print operation as the checkprint operation. To the contrary, assume that the operator presses thekey 2302B in the window 2300B before the input from the key 2304B. Inthis case, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute the second type check print operation as the check printoperation. The check print start timing corresponds to time TX in FIG.12B. The check print operation in [operation 2] corresponds to theoperation in [step 2] of FIG. 12B executed during the period immediatelybefore time TY after time TX in FIG. 12B.

[Operation 3] The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toautomatically resume (continue) the production print operation of theprint-interrupted job immediately after the end of the check printoperation. The timing when the print operation resumes corresponds totime TY in FIG. 12B. [Operation 3] corresponds to the operation in [step3] of FIG. 12B executed during the period immediately before the end inFIG. 12B after time TY in FIG. 12B.

As is apparent from the control sequence in FIG. 12B, the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to continue the print operation ofthe printing system 1000 without wastefully stopping it in the use ofthe check print function.

For example, the control unit 205 enables the printer unit 203 toexecute the print operation as in [step 1] of FIG. 12B during the periodfrom time T0 to time TX in FIG. 12B. The control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to maintain (continue) the print operation by theprinter unit 203 without stopping it as in [step 2] of FIG. 12B duringthe period from time TX to time TY in FIG. 12B. The control unit 205also controls the printing system 1000 to maintain (continue) the printoperation by the printer unit 203 without stopping it as in [step 3] ofFIG. 12B during the period from time TY to the end in FIG. 12B.

In this way, even when the control unit 205 causes the printing system1000 to execute an operation related to the check print function, theprint operation in the printing system 1000 can continue withoutwastefully stopping.

The mechanism concerning the check print function is also different fromthe above-described test copy function.

For example, in a case where the printing system 1000 executes the testcopy operation as shown in FIG. 12A, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to stop the print operation of a job subjected tothe test copy operation during the period from time T1 to time T2 inFIG. 12A. In a case where the printing system 1000 executes the checkprint operation, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000so that the printer unit 203 can continue the print operation of a jobsubjected to the test copy operation during any period in FIG. 12B, asshown in FIG. 12B.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 according to theembodiment to execute the check print operation at higher operatingratio than that of the printing system 1000 in executing the test copyoperation.

As described above, the control unit 205 inhibits execution of the printoperation of a job subjected to the test copy operation during theperiod between T1 and T2 in FIG. 12A. Even in this situation, forexample, the HDD 209 stores print data of another queued job differentfrom the job subjected to the test copy operation. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 permits execution of the print operation of thedifferent job during the period between T1 and T2 in FIG. 12A. Oncondition that a job having undergone the test copy operation waits foran intervention operation by the operator, the control unit 205 enablesthe printing system 1000 to execute the print operation of the differentjob.

In addition to the aforementioned effects, the embodiment can attain aneffect capable of preventing an undesired decrease in the operatingratio of the printing system 1000 even when the printing system 1000executes the test copy operation. As a further effect, the effect ofshortening a total time necessary to process a plurality of jobs can bemaximized.

As described above, the control unit 205 interrupts the production printoperation of job X in response to an input from the operator via the key2304B while the printer unit 203 executes the production print operationof job X. After interrupting the print operation of job X, the controlunit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to start the check printoperation of job X. At the end of the check print operation of job X,the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to resume (continue)the production print operation of print-interrupted job X. Afterexecuting again the production print operation of job X, the controlunit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to automatically display thewindow 2300A for job X again.

As described above, when the operator presses the key 2304B, the controlunit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to automatically end thepopup display of the window 2300B in FIG. 13E and display the window2300A of job X again. For example, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 13F when theproduction print operation of job X resumes.

In the stage in which the touch panel unit 401 executes the display inFIG. 13F, the check print operation of job X ended, and the printoperation of job X has resumed. This stage corresponds to a stage inwhich the printing system 1000 executes the operation in [step 3] ofFIG. 12B.

Assume that the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toautomatically resume the print operation of job X at the end of thecheck print operation of job X, as described above. Also assume that theproduction print operation of job X resumed IN the printing system 1000progresses to currently print the 10th sheet of the 34th copy (34th set)of job X. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the touch panelunit 401 so that the display contents of the window for job Xcorresponding to a job of acceptance number 0001 match the current printprogress, as represented by the window 2300A in FIG. 13F.

The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to enable the“check print” key 2301A even in the window 2300A displayed again on thetouch panel unit 401 as shown in FIG. 13F. Assume that the operatorpresses the active key 2301A in the window 2300A of FIG. 13F. Inresponse to the key operation, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to display again the check print type window 2300B shownin FIG. 13E.

Assume that the operator presses again the key 2304B via the window2300B in FIG. 13E displayed again on the touch panel unit 401. Inresponse to the second check print request via the key 2304B, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to sequentiallyexecute the following operations.

[Operation A1] The control unit 205 interrupts again the productionprint operation of job X that has resumed in the printing system 1000 atthe end of the first check print operation of job X.

[Operation A2] The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute the second check print operation of job X immediately afterinterrupting the print operation of job X. The second check printoperation also executes print processing using print data of printoperation-interrupted job X. Assume that the operator presses the key2301B in the window 2300B before input of the second check print requestvia the key 2304B. In this case, the control unit 205 causes theprinting system 1000 to execute the first type check print operation asthe second check print operation. In contrast, assume that the operatorpresses the key 2302B in the window 2300B before input of the secondcheck print request via the key 2304B.

In this case, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute the second type check print operation as the second check printoperation.

[Operation A3] The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toautomatically resume (continue) again the production print operation ofjob X immediately after the end of the second check print operation forjob X. In this fashion, the second print resume operation of job Xhaving undergone the check print operation twice is performed.

In the production print operation of job X that resumes in [operationA3], part of job X that has not been processed immediately before thestart of [operation A2] is printed without printing part of job X thathas been processed immediately before the start of [operation A2].Assume that the operator inputs the second check print request via thekey 2304B for job X immediately after the display in FIG. 13F. In thiscase, up to the 10th sheet of the 34th set of job X corresponding to ajob requiring printing of a series of 10-page print data by 100 sets intotal has been printed. Hence, the control unit 205 controls to printthe 35th to 100th sets of job X as [operation A3].

On condition that the production print operation of a job for whichprinting has resumed is not complete and is in execution, the controlunit 205 controls the operation unit 204 to permit acceptance of a checkprint request for the job again from the operator. Assume that theoperator issues the check print request again. In this case, the controlunit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute again theabove-described series of processes (i.e., interruption of theproduction print operation, check print of the job, and resume of theproduction print operation of the job) for the job for which the checkprint request is issued again.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 permits acceptance ofa check print request for a job repetitively from the operator as longas the production print operation is in execution. The control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to repetitively execute the checkprint operation of the job every time the check print request is input.

Assume that the target job requires printing of as many as 5,000 sheets.In this case, the first check print is executed for the job uponprinting the 1,000th sheet. The second check print is executed for thejob upon printing the 2,500th sheet. The third check print is executedfor the job upon printing the 4,000th sheet.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment can be controlledto execute the check print operation repetitively at regular intervalseven for a single job. While continuing the print operation, theoperator can periodically confirm, like sampling check, whether theoutput results of printed materials in the production print operation ofa job requiring large-volume printing have no problem. Withoutdecreasing the productivity, the operator can periodically check whetherthe density of the output results, the print position, or the like haschanged during printing. If the output results of the production printedmaterials of a job requiring large-volume printing has changed, theoperator can quickly change the printing conditions to continue theprint operation. This can provide an effect capable of preventing, e.g.,the following problems:

(1) a problem that the operator notices a change of the output resultsof printed materials halfway only after inspecting all the print resultsof a job requiring large-volume printing upon completion of all theproduction print operation of the job.

(2) a problem that the production print operation is executed again forthe job from the beginning upon completion of all the production printoperation due to problem (1). Also, waste of resources and a deadoperating time more than necessary due to this problem.

According to the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to selectively accept a plurality of types of requestsincluding at least any of the following requests (1) to (4) as operatorrequests, acceptance of which from the operator is permitted immediatelyafter executing the check print operation.

[Operator Request (1), Acceptance of which is Permitted by Control Unit205 Immediately after Executing Check Print]

Request (1) is an operator request to suspend the production printoperation of a job that has resumed after executing the check printoperation.

The control unit 205 enables accepting request (1) from the operator viathe operation unit 204 while the printing system 1000 resumes theproduction print operation of a job having undergone check print. Uponaccepting request (1), the control unit 205 controls the print apparatus100 to suspend the production print operation. While the job issuspended, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 so thatthe operator can change device-specific processing conditions whichinfluences the output result of the job and those of subsequent queuedjobs. After the operator changes the processing conditions, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to resume the productionprint operation of the job under the changed processing conditions. Uponcompletion of the print operation of the job, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to start, under the changed processingconditions, the production print operation of subsequent queued jobswhose print data are stored in the HDD 209.

In this manner, the control unit 205 can change (adjust) printprocessing conditions relating to processing conditions specific to theprinting system 1000 after executing check print of one job. Theprocessing conditions correspond to processing parameters (common to aplurality of jobs) which influence the output results of jobs includingthe check print-executed job. The control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to successively print these jobs under the changedprocessing conditions.

A concrete example of control based on request (1) will be explainedwith reference to the aforementioned job X.

Assume that the production print operation of job X has resumed, and theprint operation is in execution in the printing system 1000. While theprint operation of job X resumes, the operator visually checks theoutput result of the check printed material of job X output by theabove-described check print operation. As a result of visually checkingthe output result of the check printed material of job X, the operatordetermines that processing conditions specific to the printing system1000 need to be changed.

In this situation, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to enable a “system status/stop” key 2301 even while the window2300A is kept displayed, as shown in FIG. 13F.

Assume that the operator presses the key 2301 in this situation. Inresponse to the operation to the key 2301, the control unit 205 causesthe touch panel unit 401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 14A whilecontinuing the production print operation of job X in the printingsystem 1000.

The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to display thedisplay contents based on the following pieces of information in awindow 2400A shown in FIG. 14A.

(Information 1) Information 1 is system configuration information of theprinting system 1000. For example, this information notifies theoperator of the number and order of sheet processing apparatusesconnected to the print apparatus 100.

(Information 2) Information 2 is information of jobs, including a jobbeing printed and a queued job, whose print data are stored in the HDD209 and are to be printed by the printer unit 203. For example,information 2 contains information on the acceptance number, acceptancetime, job name (job type), user name, and status.

Based on (information 1) and (information 2), the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 to display, in the window 2400A,device information visually expressing an outline of the printing system1000, as shown in FIG. 14A.

Also based on (information 1) and (information 2), the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 to display a job list at an upperportion in the display area of the window 2400A, as shown in FIG. 14A.

When displaying the job list, the control unit 205 displays pieces ofinformation of jobs in the job list discriminatively for each job. Thesejobs have print data stored in the HDD 209 and require a print operationby the printer unit 203. These jobs include a job being printed and aqueued job.

For example, the production print operation of job X is in execution bythe printer unit 203. In this case, the control unit 205 displaysinformation of job X such as “(acceptance number) 0001, (time) 13:24,(job name) copy, (user name) COPY USER, (status) during printing,(waiting time) less than 1 min” at the top of the job list, as shown inFIG. 14A. As other queued jobs different from job X, the control unit205 displays information of a job (to be referred to as job Yhereinafter) of acceptance number 0002, and information of a job (to bereferred to as job Z hereinafter) of acceptance number 0003 in thesecond and subsequent lines of the job list. Jobs Y and Z are queuedjobs different from job X.

The control unit 205 controls the order of jobs displayed in the joblist in the window 2400A so that it coincides with the order of theirprint execution requests accepted from the operator. That is, thecontrol unit 205 displays pieces of information of jobs in the list inthe same order as the processing order by the printing system 1000.

The job list in the window 2400A allows the operator to select a desiredone of jobs displayed in the job list in response to an operatoroperation to the touch panel unit 401. When the operator touches thedisplay line of any job among a plurality of jobs in the job list shownin FIG. 14A, the control unit 205 determines that the operator hasselected the job.

When the operator selects a desired job from the job list in the window2400A, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 tohighlight the display line of the selected job so that the operator canspecify the selected job. For example, in the display state of FIG. 14A,the operator selects job X.

The window 2400A further comprises the following display buildingelements.

A print suspension key 2401A is a display key which allows the operatorto input an instruction to suspend the print operation of a job (jobwhich requires a print operation by the printer unit 203 and has notbeen printed) selected from the job list in the window 2400A.

Assume that the operator presses the key 2401A in the display state ofFIG. 14A. In this case, the control unit 205 suspends the printoperation of job X in progress by the printer unit 203.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to cancel thesuspension of the print operation-suspended job and resume the printoperation later in accordance with an instruction from the operator.

In the embodiment, when the operator inputs a print suspensioninstruction via the key 2401A, the start of executing the printoperations of all jobs displayed in the job list of the window 2400A canbe locked. For example, when the operator presses the key 2401A in thedisplay stage of FIG. 14A, the control unit 205 stops the printoperation of job X. The control unit 205 also inhibits the printingsystem 1000 from starting the print operations of queued jobs Y and Z.In this fashion, all jobs which need to be printed by the printingsystem 1000 can be suspended.

The control unit 205 may also control to lock (suspend) only the printoperation of a job selected by the operator from the job list. Assumethat the operator selects job X in the display state of FIG. 14A andpresses the key 2401A. In this case, the control unit 205 may controlthe printing system 1000 to suspend only the print operation of job Xand execute the print operations of subsequent jobs such as jobs Y andZ.

When the operator does not press the key 2401A, the control unit 205causes the printer unit 203 to continue the print operation of a job(job X in this example) in execution while the touch panel unit 401keeps displaying the window 2400A.

Even in this situation, the control unit 205 updates the display of thedisplay field 2300 in correspondence with the progress of a job, asneeded, in order to notify the operator in real time of information onthe job being printed. For example, the 34th set of job X out of 100sets is being printed in the display stage of FIG. 13F. However, job Xprogresses in the display stage of FIG. 14A. In this stage, for example,the printer unit 203 prints the 38th set of job X. In this case, asshown in FIG. 14, the control unit 205 displays, in the display field2300, information which notifies the operator that the 38th set is beingprinted.

Assume that the operator presses the key 2401A in the window 2400A ofFIG. 14A. In response to the press of the key 2401A, the control unit205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to popup-display a window 2400Billustrated in FIG. 14B.

The window 2400B is a print suspension confirmation window configured toallow the operator to decide whether to suspend the print operation of ajob in progress.

Assume that the operator presses a key 2402B in the window 2400B. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to endthe display of the window 2400B and return to the display in FIG. 14Awithout stopping the print operation of job X in execution.

To the contrary, assume that the operator presses a key 2401B in thewindow 2400B. In this case, the control unit 205 stops the printoperation of job X in progress. Accordingly, the control unit 205suspends the print operation of job X.

By the above-mentioned method, the print operation by the printer unit203 is suspended. In this situation, assume that the operator pressesthe user mode key 505 of the operation unit 204. In response to the keyoperation, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 toexecute a display illustrated in FIG. 14C.

The window 2400C is a display window capable of changing, in accordancewith an instruction from the operator, processing conditions whichcommonly influence the print result of one job printed by the printerunit 203 and the print results of other jobs. The window 2400C is usedwhen the printing system 1000 cleans a plurality of units of theprinting system 1000 including the print apparatus 100.

Assume that the operator presses a “creep (shift) correction amountadjustment” key in the window 2400C while the production print operationof the above-described job X is suspended. In response to thisoperation, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 todisplay a creep correction amount adjustment window (not shown).

The creep correction amount adjustment window (not shown) is a displaywindow configured to allow the operator to input an instruction tofinely adjust the print position of an image on a print medium (printsheet) that is to be printed by the printer unit 203. This window (notshown) is a display window configured to allow the operator toexplicitly input a print image shift amount (creep correction amount)and the like.

The control unit 205 accepts the print position correction amount of animage on a print medium from the operator via the creep correctionamount adjustment window (not shown). In the embodiment, the correctionamount corresponds to a print processing condition specific to theprinting system 1000. In the embodiment, this print processing conditioncorresponds to a parameter common to one job to be printed by theprinter unit 203 and other jobs.

Assume that the operator changes the “creep correction amount” via thecreep correction amount adjustment window (not shown), and then inputsan instruction to resume the print operation of job X. When suspensionof the print operation of job X is canceled to resume the printoperation of job X, the control unit 205 sequentially executes thefollowing illustrative processes.

First, the control unit 205 controls print processing by the printapparatus 100 to adjust the print position of the print image of printdata of job X on a print medium to a print position complying with thechanged creep correction value.

Then, the control unit 205 controls print processing by the printapparatus 100 to adjust the print position of the print image of printdata of job Y on a print medium to a print position complying with thechanged creep correction value also in the print operation of job Ysubsequent to job X.

Further, the control unit 205 controls print processing by the printapparatus 100 to adjust the print position of the print image of printdata of job Z on a print medium to a print position complying with thechanged creep correction value also in the print operation of job Zsubsequent to job Y.

The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to complete theprint operation of job X in accordance with a creep correction valuewhose setting has been changed by the operator via the window 2400C, andthen automatically start the print operation of job Y in accordance withthe setting-changed correction value. The control unit 205 controls theprint apparatus 100 to automatically start the print operation of job Zin accordance with the setting-changed correction value upon completionof the print operation of job Y. In this way, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to automatically, successively processa plurality of target jobs while reflecting a correction value whosesetting has been changed by the operator.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured todeal with parameters in addition to the above-described ones as “printprocessing conditions relating to the print operations of jobs”, forwhich the operator is permitted to change the settings of the printprocessing conditions after executing check print.

Assume that the operator presses a “density correction” key in thewindow 2400C while the production print operation of job X is suspended.In response to this operation, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to display a density correction window (not shown).

The density correction window (not shown) is a display window configuredto allow the operator to input an instruction to finely adjust the printdensity of an image to be printed on a print medium (print sheet) by theprinter unit 203. This window (not shown) is a display window configuredto allow the operator to explicitly input a print image density and thelike.

Assume that the operator changes the density setting in the densitycorrection window (not shown) to be higher than the print density of theimage of print data of job X on a print medium in the check printoperation executed for job X. Then, the operator inputs an instructionto resume the print operation of job X. When suspension of the printoperation of job X is canceled to resume the print operation of job X,the control unit 205 sequentially executes, for example, the followingillustrative job processes.

First, the control unit 205 controls print processing by the printapparatus 100 to adjust the print density of the print image of printdata of job X on a print medium to a print density complying with thechanged density value.

Then, the control unit 205 controls print processing by the printapparatus 100 to adjust the print density of the print image of printdata of job Y on a print medium to a print density complying with thechanged density value even in the print operation of job Y subsequent tojob X.

Further, the control unit 205 controls print processing by the printapparatus 100 to adjust the print density of the print image of printdata of job Z on a print medium to a print density complying with thechanged density value even in the print operation of job Z subsequent tojob Y.

As described above, even when the operator changes the print densitysetting via the window 2400C in FIG. 14C, the control unit 205 processesa plurality of jobs, similar to the aforementioned case. That is, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to automatically,successively process all target jobs including jobs X, Y, and Z inaccordance with the print density whose setting has been changed by theoperator.

Other print processing conditions relating to the print operations ofjobs exist in addition to processing conditions such as the “creepcorrection value” and “density correction value” described above. Otherprint processing conditions include “print processing conditionsrelating to automatic tone correction” and “processing conditionsrelating to text/background contrast adjustment”. The control unit 205also controls to allow the operator to change these print processingconditions via a window (not shown) displayed on the touch panel unit401 in response to operator operations to an “automatic tone correction”key, “text/background contrast adjustment” key, and the like in thewindow 2400C.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can further accept aninstruction from the operator via the window 2400C to execute thefollowing illustrative cleaning by the printing system 1000.

(Feeder Cleaning) This processing is to clean the document feed unit ofthe auto document feeder (ADF) 301 in the scanner unit 201. A concreteexample of performing this processing will be explained.

Assume that the operator presses a “feeder cleaning” key in the window2400C while the production print operation of job X is suspended. Inresponse to the key operation, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to display a feeder cleaning execution window (not shown)which allows the operator to input an instruction to start feedercleaning by the ADF 301.

The feeder cleaning execution window (not shown) is a display windowconfigured to present a guidance message such as “please set 10 blanksheets or so at the feeder and press the ‘start’ key” to the operator.This window (not shown) has a “start” key to cause the ADF 301 to cleanthe feeder.

Assume that the operator sets blank sheets for dirt removal on thedocument tray of the ADF 301 and presses the start key (not shown) inaccordance with the guidance. In response to the key operation, thecontrol unit 205 causes the ADF 301 to feed the blank sheets. The ADF301 successively conveys the blank sheets by document feed rollers. As aresult, dirt such as powder of a pencil attached to the document feedrollers of the ADF 301 is removed from the document feed rollers andattaches to the blank sheets. By successively feeding a specific numberof blank sheets for dirt removal, dirt is removed from the document feedrollers.

In the embodiment, the processing to cause the printing system 1000 toclean the feeder also falls within processing to change print processingconditions specific to the printing system 1000.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to resume theprint operation of job X and successively process a plurality of jobsincluding job X and subsequent jobs Y and Z after cleaning the feeder.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can accept an instruction fromthe operator via the window 2400C to execute the following illustrativecleaning by the printing system 1000.

(Wire Cleaning) This processing is to clean a wire unit (not shown) inthe printer unit 203. A concrete example of performing this processingwill be explained.

Assume that the operator presses a “wire cleaning” key in the window2400C while the production print operation of job X is suspended. Inthis case, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 todisplay a wire cleaning execution window (not shown) which allows theoperator to input an instruction to start this cleaning by the printerunit 203.

The wire cleaning execution window (not shown) has a “start” key tocause the printer unit 203 to clean the wire unit in the printer unit203.

Assume that the operator presses the start key (not shown). In responseto this, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to clean thewire unit (not shown) in the printer unit 203.

In the embodiment, “processing to clean the wire unit (not shown) in theprinter unit 203” also falls within “processing to change printprocessing conditions relating to the print operation”.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to resume theprint operation of job X and successively process a plurality of jobsincluding job X and subsequent jobs Y and Z after cleaning the wire unitin the printer unit 203.

In addition to the aforementioned cleaning processes, there is an itemto clean the convey rollers of the printer unit 203 for conveying aprint sheet. For example, when the operator presses a “roller cleaning”key in the window 2400C, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit203 to clean the convey rollers in the printer unit 203. In theembodiment, the processing to execute this cleaning also falls withinprocessing to change print processing conditions relating to the printoperation. The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toresume the print operation of job X and successively process a pluralityof jobs including job X and subsequent jobs Y and Z after cleaning theconvey rollers in the printer unit 203.

In the embodiment, assume that change of the above-mentioned printprocessing conditions is complete in accordance with an instructionaccepted from the operator via the window 2400C while the printoperation of job X is suspended. Then, the operator presses the “systemstatus/stop” key. The control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401to execute a display illustrated in FIG. 14D while keeping theproduction print operation of job X suspended.

As shown in FIG. 14D, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit401 to popup-display the window 2400D while the display field 2300displays information that the print operation of job X is suspended.

The window 2400D is a display window configured to allow the operator todecide whether to cancel the suspension of the print operation in theprinting system 1000 and resume the print operation by the printer unit203.

Assume that the operator presses a key 2402D in the window 2400D. Inthis case, the control unit 205 ends the display of the window 2400Dwithout resuming the print operation by the printer unit 203 whilekeeping the print operation suspended. The control unit 205 causes thetouch panel unit 401 to display, e.g., the window 2400A again. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to represent thesuspension of the print operation of job X in the job list in the window2400A.

In contrast, assume that the operator presses the key 2401D in thewindow 2400D. In this case, the control unit 205 cancels the suspensionof the print operation in the printing system 1000, and causes theprinter unit 203 to resume the print operation. Consequently, thecontrol unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to resume theproduction print operation of job X.

Assume that the operator has changed, via the window 2400C, printprocessing conditions commonly relating to the print operations of jobsincluding job X before input of an instruction from the operator via thekey 2401D of the window 2400D. In response to the input from the key2401D, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to resumethe production print operation of job X. At this time, the control unit205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute a print operationcomplying with the setting-changed print processing conditions acceptedbefore the input from the key 2401D. Upon completion of printing ofentire job X, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toexecute the print operation of job Y. Also in the print operation of jobY, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute aprint operation complying with the setting-changed print processingconditions. Upon completion of printing of entire job Y, the controlunit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute the print operationof job Z. Also in the print operation of job Z, the control unit 205causes the printing system 1000 to execute a print operation complyingwith the setting-changed print processing conditions.

Note that various print processing conditions subjected to settingchange in the window 2400C are all illustrative.

As described above, after the operator checks the output results ofcheck printed materials by the check print operation, the control unit205 can accept a change of print processing conditions relating to theprint operations of not only a job having undergone check print but alsoother jobs. Then, the control unit 205 can cause the printing system1000 to print a plurality of jobs under the setting-changed processingconditions.

The embodiment also enables changing only print processing conditionsspecific to a job having undergone the check print operation.

For example, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 todisplay the window 2300A again while the printing system 1000 resumesand continues the production print operation of job X after executingcheck print. The window 2300A repetitively displayable during executionof the production print operation has a display key to select the printdensity.

Assume that the operator presses the print density adjustment key in theredisplayed window 2300A of FIG. 13F while the production printoperation of job X is resumed and executed.

By this operation, the operator requests a change of the print densityfor job X during the resume operation of the print operation of job X.In this case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tochange the print density midway along a series of print steps of job Xand continue the production print operation of job X without stoppingthe production print operation of job X. For example, the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to print the print image of job Xon a print medium at the changed print density at the timing when theimage of job X is printed on a print medium fed from the paper feed unitimmediately after the operator presses the print density adjustment key.

In this manner, the control unit 205 controls to automatically changethe print density midway along a series of print steps in the productionprint operation of job X in accordance with a print density changeinstruction accepted via the window 2300A.

The control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to automatically startthe print operation of job Y at the end of the production printoperation of job X. In this case, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to execute print processing based on a printdensity set by the operator for job Y in the print operation of job Y.

The control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to automatically startthe print operation of job Z at the end of the production printoperation of job Y. Also in this case, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to execute print processing based on a printdensity set by the operator for job Z in the print operation of job Z.

As described above, job-specific print processing conditions relating toa job having undergone the check print operation but not with other jobscan also be changed. The control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to execute a print operation by changing only the settings of theprint processing conditions of only the target job, and automaticallyprocess subsequent jobs in series in their print operations underjob-specific printing conditions regardless of the setting change.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is also configuredto meet the following request in addition to request (1).

[Operator Request (2), Acceptance of which is Permitted by Control Unit205 Immediately after Executing Check Print]

Request (2) is an operator request to stop (cancel) the production printoperation of a job that has resumed after executing the check printoperation.

Upon receiving request (2), the control unit 205 quickly stops theproduction print operation of a job that started immediately afterexecuting the check print operation.

A concrete example of request (2) will be described.

Assume that the production print operation of job X has resumed at theend of the check print operation and is in execution in the printingsystem 1000. In this situation, the operator selects a job of acceptancenumber 0001 corresponding to job X from the job list in the window2400A. In this case, the control unit 205 highlights the display line ofthe job information, as shown in FIG. 14A. Assume that the operatorselects job X from the job list and presses a stop key 2403A in thewindow 2400A. In response to the key operation, the control unit 205causes the touch panel unit 401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 14F.

When the operator presses the stop key 2403A, the control unit 205causes the touch panel unit 401 to popup-display the window 2400F whilethe display field 2300 displays a message that job X is being printed,as shown in FIG. 14F.

The window 2400F is a display window configured to allow the operator todecide whether to cancel the print operation of a job (job X in thisexample) in execution.

Assume that the operator presses a key 2402F in the window 2400F. Inthis case, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to endthe display of the window 2400D while maintaining the print operation ofjob X in execution. The control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401to display the window 2400A again.

Assume that the operator presses a key 2401F in the window 2400F. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tostop the print operation of job X in execution. As the job stopprocessing, for example, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to execute all the following illustrative processes.

(Stop Processing 1) The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus100 to stop the print operation of job X.

(Stop Processing 2) The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus100 to erase 10-page print data of job X from the HDD 209.

(Stop Processing 3) The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to delete job information of job X from the job list in the window2400A.

As described above, when the operator uses the key 2401F to input aninstruction to stop processing for job X, the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to perform stop processing (cancel processing)including (stop processing 1) to (stop processing 3). When the operatorpresses the key 2401F, the control unit 205 further executes thefollowing control.

(Control 1) The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 sothat the printer unit 203 automatically starts the print operation ofjob Y immediately after performing the aforementioned cancel processingof job X. The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 toupdate the display contents of the system configuration informationwindow 2400A and reflect the start of the print operation of job Y inthe job list. In this case, for example, the control unit 205 controlsthe touch panel unit 401 to change the display contents of the window2400A from those in FIG. 14A to those in FIG. 14H.

(Control 2) The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 sothat the printer unit 203 automatically starts the print operation ofjob Z upon completion of the print operation of job Y. The control unit205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to update the display contents ofthe window 2400A and reflect the completion of the print operation ofjob Y and the start of the print operation of job Z in the job list.

Assume that the production print operation of job X stops. In this case,for example, the display returns to one in FIG. 7 or 13A, and theoperator can set printing conditions for job X from the beginning. Theoperator can input job X again as a job requiring a print operationcomplying with the changed print processing conditions, and perform thisprint operation.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toprocess job X input again after processing jobs Y and Z.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is also configuredto meet the following request in addition to request (2).

[Operator Request (3), Acceptance of which is Permitted by Control Unit205 Immediately after Executing Check Print]

Request (3) is an operator request to cause the touch panel unit 401 todisplay detailed information on the production print operation of a jobthat has resumed after executing the check print operation.

A concrete example of request (3) will be explained.

Assume that the production print operation of job X has resumed and isin execution. In this situation, the operator selects job X from the joblist in the window 2400A, and presses a key 2402A in the window 2400A.In response to the key operation, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 14E.

A window 2400E illustrated in FIG. 14E is a display window configured toallow the operator to confirm detailed information of a job selected byhim from the job list in the window 2400A. In the example of FIG. 14E,the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display detailedjob information of job X during execution of the production printoperation of job X for which print operation has automatically resumedupon completion of the check print operation of outputting the checkprinted materials of job X. When the operator presses the “close” key inthe window 2400E, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401to return to the display in FIG. 14A. The control unit 205 controls thetouch panel unit 401 to change the window 2400A to display contentsreflecting execution of the print operation of job X in the job list.

According to the embodiment, the operation unit 204 can display detailedinformation of a job subjected to check print while the production printoperation of the job is in execution after executing check print.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is also configuredto meet the following request in addition to request (3).

[Operator Request (4), Acceptance of which is Permitted by Control Unit205 Immediately after Executing Check Print]

Request (4) is an operator request to execute again check print of a jobfor which the production print operation has resumed and is in executionafter executing the check print operation.

A concrete example of request (4) has already been described in detailwith reference to FIG. 13F, and a description thereof will not berepeated.

As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14F and 14H, the controlunit 205 can selectively accept the above-described four types ofrequests from the operator via the operation unit 204 immediately aftercausing the printing system 1000 to execute the check print operation.The control unit 205 can selectively accept the above-described fourtypes of requests from the operator via the operation unit 204 while theproduction print operation of a job having undergone the check printoperation resumes. Upon accepting any request, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 according to the embodiment includingthe print apparatus 100 to execute processing and an operation complyingwith the accepted request.

As described with reference to FIG. 13F, the control unit 205 permitsacceptance of a check print request repetitively from the operator for ajob being printed unless the printing system 1000 ends the printoperation. However, the control unit 205 inhibits acceptance of a checkprint request from the operator for a job other than one being printed.

For example, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 todisplay the window 2400A in FIG. 14A in accordance with an instructionfrom the key 2301 while the printing system 1000 continues theproduction print operation of job X.

Assume that the operator selects a job of acceptance number 0001corresponding to job X from the job list in the window 2400A in thesituation in which the production print operation of job X is inexecution. In this case, the control unit 205 highlights the displayline of the job information in the job list, as shown in FIG. 14A.

Assume that the operator selects the job of acceptance number 0001,i.e., job X being printed in the window 2400A. In this case, the controlunit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to enable a key 2404A in thewindow 2400A, as shown in FIG. 14A. When the operator presses the key2404A, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to displaythe window 2300B in FIG. 13E again. When the operator inputs a checkprint request for job X again via the key 2304B, the control unit 205causes the printing system 1000 to interrupt the production printoperation of job X again and execute the second check print of job X, asdescribed above. In this fashion, the control unit 205 can also accept acheck print request from the operator even via the window 2400A. As aresult, the check print operation can be executed a plurality of numberof times for a single job without using the redisplayed window 2300A, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 13F.

Assume that the operator selects a job other than one being printed fromthe job list in the window 2400A. For example, the operator selects jobY of acceptance number 0002 from the job list in the window 2400A. Whenthe operator selects the queued job in the window 2400A, the controlunit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to disable the key 2404A inthe window 2400A. For example, when the operator selects job Y, thecontrol unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to gray out thedisplay of the key 2404A, as shown in FIG. 14G. In this way, when theoperator selects a job other than one being printed via the operationunit 204, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 toinhibit acceptance of a check print request from the operator for theselected job. The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toneither interrupt the print operation of job X nor execute a check printoperation of outputting the printed materials of jobs Y and Z.

As described with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14H and the like, theconfiguration relevant to the check print function of the printingsystem 1000 according to the embodiment has the following effects. Morespecifically, the operator can quickly, visually check a check printedmaterial output by the check print function for a job being printed bythe printing system 1000. Even when the sheet feeding path in theprinting system 1000 becomes long by connecting a plurality of sheetprocessing apparatuses to the print apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 3,the operator can quickly, easily determine a job being printed and itsimage. Even when the destination of the printed materials of a job beingprinted is a destination inside a sheet processing apparatus such as thelarge-volume stacker or glue binding apparatus, the operator canquickly, easily determine a job being printed and its image. Even whilethe operator confirms the check printed material, the printing system1000 can continue the print operation smoothly. Hence, the printoperation can continue without undesirably decreasing high operatingratio of the printing system 1000.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to complete aplurality of jobs after changing print processing conditions relating tojobs including a job subjected to the check print operation andsubsequent jobs, as described with reference to FIG. 14C. The embodimentcan, therefore, obtain an effect capable of building a printingenvironment where the qualities of the print results of all jobs do notwastefully drop without individually changing the processing conditionsof each job. The printing system 1000 is configured to quickly cancelthe production print operation of job X when a check print result isundesirable, as described with reference to FIG. 14F and the like. As aneffect obtained by the check print operation, an effect specific to ajob subjected to the check print operation can also be attained. Awasteful output can be suppressed as much as possible even in theprinting environment where it is important to process a plurality ofjobs at productivity as high as possible.

The control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display thewindow 2300A configured to display the key 2301A as shown in FIGS. 13Bto 13D and the like while the production print operation is in executionin [step 1] of FIG. 12B.

Assume that the operator presses the active key 2301A as in the window2300A in FIGS. 13C and 13D on the touch panel unit 401 while the targetjob is being printed. In step S109 of FIG. 16 (to be described later),the control unit 205 determines whether it has accepted a check printrequest from the operator, on the basis of whether the operator haspressed the active key 2301A.

When the control unit 205 determines that the operator has pressed thekey 2301A, it causes the touch panel unit 401 to display the check printtype selection window 2300B, as shown in FIG. 13E. This corresponds to acase where the control unit 205 determines YES in step S109 of FIG. 16and advances the process to step S110.

The state in which the touch panel unit 401 displays the window 2300B isthe stage of [step 1] in FIG. 12B, i.e., the state in which theproduction print operation of a job subjected to the check printoperation continues.

Assume that the operator presses either the key 2301B or key 2302B inthe window 2300B. This corresponds to a case where the control unit 205determines YES in step S111 of FIG. 16.

As described above, upon accepting a check print start instruction inresponse to the press of the key 2304B by the operator, the control unit205 interrupts the production print operation in execution in theprinting system 1000 for the job subjected to check print. Uponcompletion of interrupting the production print operation, the controlunit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to automatically start checkprint of a type corresponding to either the key 2301B or 2302Bdesignated by the operator.

In the embodiment, when interrupting the production print operation, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute, e.g., thefollowing control as the production print operation interruptionprocessing.

Assume that feed of printed materials from the paper feed unit of theprinting system 1000 for the production print operation has alreadystarted upon receiving a check print start instruction. In this case,the control unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print on all thefed production printed materials. The control unit 205 controls todischarge all the production printed materials of the job to thedestination (delivery destination) of a sheet processing apparatus usedto hold the final product of the job. Then, the control unit 205controls to hold the final product at the destination.

The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute theabove-described interruption processing when the printing system 1000has already started feeding production printed materials upon receivinga check print request from the operator.

The control unit 205 permits feed of a check print medium for the jobfrom the paper feed unit of the printing system 1000 even when not allthe production printed materials, feed of which has already started uponreceiving a check print request, are discharged to their destination.

This can prevent any delay of the check print execution timing even ifthe print medium feeding path is long in the printing system 1000, asshown in FIG. 3.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured tostart check print before the completion of discharging, to thedestination of the printing system 1000, all production printedmaterials, which have already been fed upon receiving a check printrequest. This can prevent any trouble such as a delay of the checkprinted material output completion timing due to a trouble such as adelay of the check print start timing. This can also prevent any troublesuch as the influence on the productivity of jobs including a target joband subsequent jobs due to a delay of the timing when the operatorvisually checks a check printed material or a delay of the timing whenthe production print operation resumes, which delays are caused by theabove-mentioned trouble.

In this manner, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000to feed a check printed material from the paper feed unit even if feedof production printed materials has already started upon receiving acheck print start instruction and not all the printed materials havebeen discharged to the destination.

As a concrete example, the system configuration in FIG. 3 will bedescribed. Assume that the target job is a job whose production printedmaterials are to be discharged to destination Z of the saddle stitchingapparatus 200-3 c in FIG. 3 by the production print operation. In thissituation, feed of the production printed materials of the job from thepaper feed deck 319 just stated upon receiving a check print startinstruction.

In this case, for example, after confirming that production printedmaterials, feed of which has already started, have passed through pointA in FIG. 3, the control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 sothat the operator takes out the check printed material of a job from thepaper feed deck 319 and feed processing starts. On condition that theproduction printed materials have passed through point A in FIG. 3, thecontrol unit 205 starts feeding the check printed material regardless ofwhether the production printed materials have been discharged todelivery destination (destination) Z.

The control unit 205 enables the printing system 1000 to start the checkprint operation as quickly as possible after interrupting the productionprint operation. Hence, the control unit 205 enables the printing system1000 to execute the check print operation without undesirably delayingthe start of the check print operation.

In the embodiment, the printing system 1000 is configured to execute thesame operation as that of the above-mentioned configuration even whenresuming the production print operation after executing check print.

For example, referring back to FIG. 3, after confirming that a checkprinted material has passed through point A in FIG. 3, the control unit205 controls the print apparatus 100 so that the operator takes out theproduction printed materials of a job from the paper feed deck 319 andfeed processing starts. On condition that the check printed material ofthe job having undergone check print has passed through point A in FIG.3, the control unit 205 starts feeding printed materials necessary forthe production print operation of the job regardless of whether thecheck printed material has been discharged to the delivery destination(destination).

As described above, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000to start the check print operation from time TX in FIG. 12B on the basisof a check print start request from the operator using the key 2304B.The control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to automaticallyresume the production print operation of the job having undergone checkprint upon completion of check print, i.e., from time TY in FIG. 12B.The resume processing corresponds to [step 3] in FIG. 12B.

In the resume processing for the production print operation of the job,the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to print onlypart of the job that has not been processed during the periodimmediately before [step 2] in FIG. 12B.

In the resume processing, the control unit 205 utilizes, as informationnecessary for the resume processing, information which represents theprocessing status (progress) of a target job and is used by the controlunit 205 as information necessary for display processing of the window2300A. The control unit 205 controls at least the HDD 209 to hold thisinformation until the printing system 1000 completes all the productionprint operation of the target job.

When the production print operation resumes, the control unit 205 causesthe touch panel unit 401 to automatically display the window 2300A forthe job again. For example, the control unit 205 enables the touch panelunit 401 to display the window 2300A for the job during the resumeoperation period of the production print operation in [step 3] of FIG.12B. Assume that the current timing falls within the period from timeimmediately after the production print operation of a given job startsto time immediately before the production print operation of the jobends. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to repetitively execute the check print operation of one job everytime the operator inputs a check print request via the key 2301Adisplayed again on the touch panel unit 401.

During the execution period of the production print operation resumedfrom time TY in FIG. 12B in the printing system 1000, the control unit205 selectively accepts the aforementioned operator requests (1) to (4)from the operator via the operation unit 204. The control unit 205enables the printing system 1000 to execute processing corresponding tothe accepted request.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to allow the operator to change the above-described device-specificsettings of the printing system 1000 while continuing the productionprint operation of a job resumed from time TY in FIG. 12B. For example,the control unit 205 accepts a request via the window 2400C in FIG. 14Cto change the device-specific settings of the printing system 1000 whilethe production print operation resumes in [step 3] of FIG. 12B. In thiscase, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toautomatically change the print operation processing conditions of thejob upon accepting the request. Also when executing the print operationsof subsequent jobs to be processed after the current job, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to keep processing thesubsequent jobs under setting-changed print processing conditionsaccepted from the operator via the window 2400C.

Assume that the density of print results gradually decreases as a resultof executing check print for the same job repetitively at regularintervals. Even in this case, if the operator changes settings via thewindow 2400C to increase the density, the output result of a job beingprinted and those of subsequent jobs can be obtained at proper printdensity.

The embodiment further comprises a configuration in which the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to prevent check printedmaterials obtained by the check print operation from being mixed withproduction printed materials when the printing system 1000 performs thecheck print operation. For example, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to output the check printed materials to adestination different from that of the production printed materials. Inthis case, the control unit 205 further controls the printing system1000 to allow the operator to confirm the destination of the checkprinted materials.

A concrete example of this configuration will be described later withreference to FIGS. 16 to 23E.

In addition to the configuration concerning the check print function,even when the printing system is configured to meet needs such as a need“to execute check print while the printing system 1000 continuouslyperforms the print operation”, this configuration can also attain theabove-described effects without generating any new problems illustratedbelow:

(1) a problem that check printed materials are mixed with productionprinted materials serving as a product as a result of building theprinting system 1000 to execute check print while it continuouslyperforms the print operation.

(2) problems such as a heavy burden on the operator and low workingefficiency caused by problem (1) because the operator must search manyprinted bundles for check printed materials if problem (1) occurs.

(3) problems such as low working efficiency of the overall system and afailure to maintain high productivity.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment can obtain theabove-described effects by the check print function without generatingthese problems. A concrete configuration will be explained withreference to FIGS. 16 to 23E.

Flowcharts shown in FIGS. 16 to 19 also contain processes correspondingto the above-described control operations related to the check printoperation executed by the control unit 205.

The flowchart in FIG. 16 will be explained first.

In step S101 of FIG. 16, the control unit 205 causes the touch panelunit 401 of the operation unit 204 to display the basic window of theprinting system 1000 as shown in FIG. 7 after the print apparatus 100 isturned on.

In step S102 of FIG. 16, the control unit 205 accepts the settings ofvarious printing conditions in response to a key operation by theoperator via the operation unit 204.

In step S103 of FIG. 16, the control unit 205 determines whether it hasaccepted the print start request of a target job, on the basis ofwhether the operator has pressed the start key 503.

Assume that the operator inputs a series of print processing conditionsvia the operation unit 204 for the target job and then presses the startkey 503. In this case, the control unit 205 detects the print startrequest (start key input), and determines YES in step S103. The controlunit 205 advances the process from step S103 to step S104.

In step S104, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 topopup-display the job processing status window (print status window)2300A shown in FIG. 13B and the like as a display representing theprocessing conditions (progress) of the print start-requested job.

The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to execute aprocess in step S105 at the same time as (in parallel with) executingthe process in step S104.

Assume that the job requires a document scan operation by the scannerunit 201. In this case, in step S105, the control unit 205 causes thescanner unit 201 to start the scan operation of the job. The controlunit 205 stores the print data of the scanned job sequentially from thefirst page in the HDD 209. This storage operation continues until theHDD 209 stores print data of the final page of the job. The control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute, in step S105, theoperation of storing print data of a print start-requested job in theHDD 209.

If the print start-requested job is a job to the box function of theprint apparatus 100, the control unit 205 shifts to a process in stepS106 without performing the process in step S105.

The box function is to hold target print data of all pages in the HDD209 via the scanner unit 201 or external I/F 202 before accepting aprint start request from the operator via the operation unit 204. Also,the box function is to print the print data stored in the HDD 209 inadvance in response to the print start request input from the operatorvia the operation unit 204.

When the print start-requested job is a job whose print data is storedin the HDD 209 in advance, like a job to the box function, the controlunit 205 skips the process in step S105 and shifts from step S104 to theprocess in step S106.

In the embodiment, the printing system 1000 is configured to cope withnot only a job to the copy function but also a job to the box function,and similarly cope with a print job from an external apparatus.

Assume that the operator inputs a print start request via the UI unit ofan external apparatus capable of displaying a printer driver window forthe printing system 1000, as shown in FIG. 10. The printing system 1000accepts a print job from the external apparatus. The embodiment is alsoapplicable to such an external print job.

Referring back to FIG. 16, in step S106, the control unit 205 causes theprinter unit 203 to print, via the HDD 209, the print data of the jobwhose print start request has been accepted in step S103. In step S106,the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute aprint operation complying with the series of print processing conditionsof the job that has been accepted from the operator in step S102.

The “print operation” executed in step S106 corresponds to the“production print operation”.

The control unit 205 controls the HDD 209 to keep holding the print dataof all the pages of the job in the HDD 209 until the printing system1000 completes the production print operation. The control unit 205controls the HDD 209 to utilize the print data of the job held in theHDD 209 not only in the process of step S106 but also in the processesof steps S115 and S117 (to be described below).

Further, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 tomaintain the popup display of the window 2300A for the job in step S104while executing the process in step S106.

As described with reference to FIGS. 13B to 13D, the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 so that the display contents of thewindow 2300A reflect in real time the actual processing status(progress) of the target job in the printing system 1000.

In step S107, based on information from units (e.g., the printer unit203 and sheet processing apparatus 200) necessary to process the job,the control unit 205 determines whether the printing system 1000completes the production print operation of the job that has started instep S106.

If the control unit 205 determines in step S107 that all the productionprint operation of the job is complete, it advances the process fromstep S107 to step S108.

In S108 of FIG. 16, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to end the popup display of the window 2300A (erase the popupwindow) for the job which is already in execution from the stage of stepS104.

The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to automaticallyend the display of the window 2300A upon completion of the productionprint operation. Also when the operator presses the “close” key in thewindow 2300A, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 toend the display of the window 2300A. After the end of the process instep S108, the process returns to step S101.

If the control unit 205 determines that all the production printoperation of the job is not complete in the printing system 1000, itadvances the process from step S107 to step S109.

In step S109, the control unit 205 determines whether the operator hasissued a check print request to output the check printed material of thejob while the printer unit 203 continues the production print operationof the job in execution.

The determination in step S109 is based on whether the operator haspressed the “check print” key 2301A in the window 2300A that has beendisplayed from the stage of step S104 on the touch panel unit 401 forthe job.

If the control unit 205 determines, on the basis of the operation statusof the operator to the key 2301A, that he has not issued any check printrequest, it returns the process from step S109 to step S107.

If the control unit 205 determines that the operator has issued a checkprint request by pressing the key 2301A, it shifts the process from stepS109 to step S110.

In step S110, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 todisplay the check print type window 2300B, as shown in FIG. 13E.

The control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display thewindow 2300B shown in FIG. 13E while the printer unit 203 continues theproduction print operation of the job in execution.

In step S111, the control unit 205 determines whether the operator hasissued a check print start instruction for the job while continuing theproduction print operation of the job.

The determination in step S111 is based on whether the operator haspressed the key 2304B in the window 2300B shown in FIG. 13E.

Assume that the control unit 205 determines in step S111 that theoperator has not issued any check print start instruction using the key2304B. In this case, the control unit 205 waits until the operatorselects a check print type in the window 2300B, without advancing theprocess from step S111. In this situation, the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 so that the printer unit 203 continues theproduction print operation of the job in execution.

Assume that the operator selects either the first or second type checkprint operation with either the key 2301B or key 2302B in the window2300B, and presses the key 2304B. In response to input of the checkprint start instruction from the operator with the key 2304B, thecontrol unit 205 advances the process from step S111 to step S112.

In step S112, the control unit 205 makes, for example, the followingconfirmations 1 and 2.

[Confirmation 1] The control unit 205 confirms system configurationinformation of the printing system 1000 that has been registered in theHDD 209.

The system configuration information contains information on the sheetprocessing apparatus 200 that has been registered by the operator viathe window in FIG. 9. That is, the system configuration informationcontains information used by the control unit 205 to determine“executable sheet processing types, and the number and types of sheetprocessing apparatuses connected to the print apparatus 100”.

Also, the system configuration information contains information used bythe control unit 205 to determine “the number, types, and connectionorder of sheet processing apparatuses connected to the print apparatus100”.

After grasping the system configuration of the printing system 1000 by[confirmation 1], the control unit 205 makes the following exemplary[confirmation 2].

[Confirmation 2] The control unit 205 confirms which of destinationcandidates in the printing system 1000 is the destination (deliverydestination) of the production printed materials of the checkprint-requested job. For example, when the printing system 1000 has thesystem configuration shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 205 confirms in[confirmation 2] which of delivery destinations X, Y, and Z shown inFIG. 3 is the deliver destination of the production printed materials ofthe job. In confirming the production destination, the control unit 205utilizes a series of print processing condition data which has been setin step S102 by the operator for the production print operation of thejob.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can also decide the deliverydestination of the printed materials of the job on the basis of afinishing type (sheet processing type) set by the operator for thetarget job. In this case, in step S112, the control unit 205 confirms adestination decided by it in accordance with a finishing type necessaryfor the production print operation.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to allow the operator to explicitly designate a printed materialdestination necessary for the production print operation in step S102,like the displays shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D. In step S112, the controlunit 205 can also confirm a destination explicitly set by the operator.

By this method, in [confirmation 2], the control unit 205 can determinea destination necessary for the production print operation of the jobsubjected to check print.

After the end of the confirmation including [confirmation 1] and[confirmation 2] in step S112, the control unit 205 advances the processfrom step S112 to step S113.

In step S113, the control unit 205 decides the destination of the checkprinted materials of the check print-requested job on the basis of thesystem configuration information confirmed in step S112 and theinformation representing the result of confirming the destination of theproduction printed material. In this manner, in step S113, the controlunit 205 decides a destination in the printing system 1000 to which asheet printed by the check print operation is output.

Further in step S113, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit401 to execute a display configured to allow the operator to confirm adestination in the printing system 1000 to which the check printedmaterial of the job subjected to check print is output. In this fashion,the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to executenotification processing to feed back the decision result in step S113 tothe operator.

Details of the process in step S113 will be described later.

After the process in step S113, the control unit 205 shifts to theprocess in step S114.

In step S114, the control unit 205 interrupts the production printoperation of the check print-requested job. This production printoperation is the print operation which is already in execution from thestage of step S106 in the printing system 1000. The control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to interrupt the production printoperation.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to automaticallystart the check print operation of outputting the check printed materialof the job immediately after interrupting (suspending) the productionprint operation. This processing corresponds to the process in step S115of FIG. 16.

In the check print operation executed in step S115, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to output a material printed by theprinter unit 203 in the check print operation to the destination decidedby the control unit 205 in step S113.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to print the sameprint data as print data subjected to the production print operation ofthe job on a print medium (also called print paper or a sheet) necessaryfor the check print operation executed in step S115.

For this purpose, the control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100to utilize, even in step S115, print data which has already been held inthe HDD 209 by the process of step S105 and is necessary for theproduction print operation of the job, as described above.

In the check print operation executed in step S115, print data of allpages necessary for the production print operation can be printed. Thiscase corresponds to a case where the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to execute the first type check print operation inaccordance with selection of the key 2301B.

In the check print operation executed in step S115, print data of onepage out of print data necessary for the production print operation canalso be printed. This case corresponds to a case where the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute the second type checkprint operation in accordance with selection of the key 2302B.

In this way, in step S115, the control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to execute an operation designated by the operator out ofthe first and second type check print operations.

After step S115, the control unit 205 performs the process in step S116.

In step S116, the control unit 205 determines, on the basis ofinformation from various sensors arranged on the sheet feeding path inthe printing system 1000, whether the check print operation of the jobstarted in step S115 is complete.

If the control unit 205 determines in step S116 that the check printoperation is not complete, it waits for the completion of the checkprint operation without shifting to the next step.

If the control unit 205 determines in step S116 that the check printoperation is complete, it advances the process from step S116 to stepS117.

In step S117, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toexecute (continue) the production print operation of the job havingundergone the check print operation again from this timing.

In the production print operation of the job that resumes in step S117,the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 not to print partof the job that has been processed immediately before interrupting theprint operation of the job in step S114.

In step S117, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toprint only the remaining part of the job that has not been processed inthe stage of step S114.

In executing again the production print operation in step S117, thecontrol unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to utilize, even instep S117, print data which has already been held in the HDD 209 in stepS105 or the like and is necessary for the production print operation ofthe job, as described above.

After the process in step S117, the control unit 205 controls to returnthe process from step S117 to step S107.

If the process returns from step S117 to step S107, the control unit 205controls the touch panel unit 401 to display the window 2300A again oncondition that the production print operation is not complete, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 13F. The control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to shift the process again from step S107 to stepS109 and execute again the processes in steps S109 to S115.

Accordingly, the control unit 205 enables the printing system 1000 toexecute the check print operation a plurality of number of times inaccordance with a request from the operator until the production printoperation of the target job is complete.

As described above, in step S114, the control unit 205 automaticallyinterrupts the production print operation of a job subjected to checkprint (without inputting any interruption request from the operator)upon receiving a check print start request from the operator via the key2304B.

After interrupting (suspending) the production print operation in stepS114, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toautomatically execute the check print operation of the job in step S115.

In step S117 immediately after executing the check print operation ofthe job, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 toautomatically execute again (resume) the production print operation ofthe job having undergone check print.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to sequentially,automatically execute the following three processes in a series of printsteps for one job upon receiving a check print start request from theoperator:

-   -   “production print operation interruption processing”    -   “check print processing”    -   “production print operation resume processing”

In the embodiment, the printing system 1000 is configured to executecheck print without any trouble such as the aforementioned threeproblems.

Assume that the check print operation is performed in step S115. In thiscase, the control unit 205 inhibits output of the check printed materialof a job (i.e., a check-print requested job), for which printing hasbeen interrupted in step S114, to a destination necessary to stack theproduction printed materials of the job.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output thecheck printed material of the job by the check print operation in stepS115 to a destination different from that of the production printedmaterials of the job.

Assume that the production print operation is executed again (resumed)in step S117 after executing check print. In this case, the control unit205 inhibits output of the production printed materials of the joboutput in step S117 to the destination of the check printed material.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output theproduction printed materials of the job by the production printoperation executed again in step S117 to the production printed materialdestination which has been used immediately before interrupting printingin step S114.

In the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 205 performs instep S113 processing to decide a check printed material destination.Then, the control unit 205 executes processing of the flowchart shown inFIG. 17 which is an example of a flowchart showing details of theprocess in step S113. Also, the control unit 205 executes processing ofthe flowchart shown in FIG. 19 which his an example of a flowchartshowing details of the process in step S300 of FIG. 17. Further, thecontrol unit 205 executes processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18which is an example of a flowchart showing details of the process instep S304 of FIG. 17.

However, these flowcharts are merely exemplary descriptions, and theseprocesses need not always be performed.

For example, the embodiment is also applicable to, e.g., a printapparatus and system configured to execute at least any of three controlexamples illustrated with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 (to be describedlater).

As described above, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the check printed material of a job having undergone thecheck print operation to a destination of the sheet processing apparatusthat is different from the destination of the production printedmaterials of the job.

The control unit 205 causes the operation unit 204 to execute a displaywhich allows the operator to identify the destination of the checkprinted material of a job in performing check print.

For example, in step S113 of FIG. 16, the control unit 205 causes thetouch panel unit 401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 15. A window2500 in FIG. 15 is a display window configured to present the followingexemplary guidance information.

The control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display thewindow 2500 immediately after the operator inputs a check print startrequest via the key 2304B in the window 2300B.

[Guidance Information 1] Guidance information which notifies theoperator that the printing system 1000 has started check print.

[Guidance Information 2] Guidance information which prompts the operatorto explicitly, visually confirm the destination of the check printedmaterials of a job subjected to check print in the printing system 1000.

[Guidance information 2] also prompts the operator to explicitly,visually confirm the destination of the production printed materials ofthe job in the printing system 1000.

The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to graphicallydisplay an outline as the actual appearance of the printing system 1000in the window 2500.

The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to presentdisplay contents in which a mark “” in “red” is added to a portionindicating the destination of the production printed materials in thegraphical outline in the window 2500.

In addition, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 topresent display contents in which a mark

in “blue” is added to a portion indicating the destination of the checkprinted materials of the job in the graphical outline in the window2500.

Also when the touch panel unit 401 displays the window 2500, the controlunit 205 uses the above-mentioned system configuration information ofthe printing system 1000 and the like that have been registered in thememory of the print apparatus 100 in advance.

As represented by the window 2500, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to execute notification processing which allows theoperator to simultaneously discriminate (identify) the productionprinted material destination and check printed material destination. Asa modification, notification processing to the operator using not adisplay output but an audio output or printout is also applicable as analternative.

This can further enhance effects concerning the operability and workingefficiency of the operator, i.e., effects concerning the check printfunction according to the embodiment.

For example, as described in the system configuration of the printingsystem 1000, this system configuration enables coupling a plurality ofsheet processing apparatuses to the print apparatus 100, and provides aplurality of destination candidates. Even this system configuration cansuppress a problem that it is difficult for the operator to recognizethe destination of check printed materials created by the check printoperation. A printing environment where high productivity is maintainedas described above can be established without any new trouble which iscaused by this problem to influence the working efficiency andproductivity in a printing environment such as the POD environment wherehigh productivity is more important.

Control processing to decide the destination of check printed materialsoutput by the check print operation will be explained with reference tothe flowcharts of FIGS. 16 to 19.

Assume that the system is configured by coupling a plurality of sheetprocessing apparatuses to the print apparatus 100, and a plurality ofdestination candidates exist.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to selectively execute the operation of any of the following modeswhen there are a plurality of destinations each permitted for use as acheck printed material destination.

[Mode 1] Assume that the printing system 1000 is configured by couplinga plurality of sheet processing apparatuses to the print apparatus 100,as shown in FIG. 3. In this system configuration, there are a pluralityof sheet processing apparatus selection candidates having destinationseach permitted for use as a destination to which the check printedmaterial of a target job is output. This case will be referred to ascase A.

When performing the operation of mode 1 in case A, the control unit 205preferentially selects a sheet processing apparatus positioned upstream(closer to the print apparatus 100) of the sheet feeding path from asheet processing apparatus used in the production print operation of ajob subjected to check print.

Assume that a plurality of apparatuses each selectable as a sheetprocessing apparatus at the check printed material destination existupstream of a sheet processing apparatus necessary for the productionprint operation. In this case, a sheet processing apparatus mostupstream of the sheet feeding path (post-processing apparatus positionedclosest to the main body of the print apparatus 100) is preferentiallyselected from these sheet processing apparatuses.

Control in [mode 1] will be described by exemplifying a systemconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 20.

Assume that a sheet processing apparatus necessary as the destination ofthe production print operation of a job subjected to the check printoperation is a third saddle stitching apparatus 200 c in the systemconfiguration of FIG. 20. In this case, the control unit 205 determinesthat sheet processing apparatuses each permitted for use as a checkprinted material destination are two selection candidates: a secondlarge-volume stacker 200 b and first large-volume stacker 200 a.

In this situation, the operation in mode 1 is executed. In this case,the control unit 205 selects the first large-volume stacker 200 aclosest to the print apparatus 100 as a sheet processing apparatus foruse as the check printed material destination of the job. The series ofoperations and the control correspond to mode 1.

The printing system 1000 is configured to execute the operation in mode1, achieving the following effects.

For example, check printed materials are output to a destination closerto the print apparatus 100 having the operation unit 204. This shortensthe moving distance when the operator operates the operation unit 204and then takes out check printed materials, increasing the workingefficiency of the operator. Check printed materials are output to adestination close to the print apparatus 100. This shortens theconveyance distance of the check printed materials to the destination,and also shortens the time necessary to complete a check print output.

Hence, processes corresponding to various instructions described abovefrom the operator after check print can be quickly performed. This alsoshortens the time until the printing system 1000 completely processesthe job and subsequent jobs. In this fashion, the printing system 1000can attain various effects considering a situation in which the operatorat the work site such as the POD environment frequently uses theoperation unit 204 of the print apparatus 100.

[Mode 2] Assume that the printing system 1000 has a configurationcorresponding to the above-described case A, similar to mode 1.

When executing mode 2 in case A, the control unit 205 preferentiallyselects a sheet processing apparatus closest to a sheet processingapparatus used in the production print operation of a job subjected tocheck print.

A configuration associated with mode 2 will be described by exemplifyingthe system configuration illustrated in FIG. 20.

Assume that a sheet processing apparatus used as the destination of theproduction print operation of a job subjected to the check printoperation is the third saddle stitching apparatus 200 c in the systemconfiguration of FIG. 20. In this case, the control unit 205 determinesthat sheet processing apparatuses each permitted for use as a checkprinted material destination are two selection candidates: the secondlarge-volume stacker 200 b and first large-volume stacker 200 a.

In this situation, the operation in mode 2 is executed. In this case,the control unit 205 selects, as a sheet processing apparatus for use asthe check printed material destination of the job, the secondlarge-volume stacker 200 b closest to the sheet processing apparatusserving as the production printed material destination. The series ofoperations and the control correspond to mode 2.

An advantage of mode 2 is to facilitate operator work because printedmaterials by actual printing and those by check print are close to eachother when actual printing is complete and the operator takes outprinted materials.

[Mode 3] Assume that the printing system 1000 has a configurationcorresponding to the above-described case A, similar to modes 1 and 2.

When executing the operation of mode 3 in case A, the control unit 205statically selects a specific sheet processing apparatus decidedregardless of the position (connection order) of a sheet processingapparatus used in the production print operation of a job subjected tocheck print, the position of the print apparatus 100, and the like.

Control in mode 3 will be described by exemplifying the systemconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 20.

Assume that a sheet processing apparatus used as the destination of theproduction print operation of a job subjected to the check printoperation is the third saddle stitching apparatus 200 c in the systemconfiguration of FIG. 20. In this case, the control unit 205 determinesthat sheet processing apparatuses each permitted for use as a checkprinted material destination are two selection candidates: the secondlarge-volume stacker 200 b and first large-volume stacker 200 a.

In this situation, the operation in mode 3 is performed. In this case,the control unit 205 determines that the specific sheet processingapparatus decided in advance is the first large-volume stacker 200 a.For example, the specific sheet processing apparatus decided in advancemay be registered as an initial setting in the HDD 209 of the printapparatus 100 by the operator with the operation unit 204.Alternatively, the specific sheet processing apparatus may be registeredin advance as device information which is one of control programs usedby the control unit 205.

When performing the operation of mode 3, the control unit 205 selectsthe first large-volume stacker 200 a as a sheet processing apparatusused as the check printed material destination of the job, withoutperforming any discrimination processing or the like for the position(connection order) of a sheet processing apparatus serving as theproduction printed material destination of the job. The series ofoperations and the control correspond to mode 3.

An advantage of mode 3 is that the operator can easily recognize thecheck printed material destination because check printed materials arealways output to the same destination which is different from theproduction printed material destination.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to selectivelyimplement operations corresponding to the above-described modes.

[Mode 1] to [mode 3] described above are mechanisms considering useradvantages, are merely exemplary descriptions, and may not always beindispensable constituent features. For example, the printing system1000 may also be configured to cope with only the operation in mode 1,only the operation in mode 2, or only the operation in mode 3. Theprinting system 1000 may also be configured without considering theconcept “mode”. The printing system 1000 may also be configured toselectively execute the operations in modes 1 and 2. The printing system1000 may also be configured to selectively execute the operations inmodes 2 and 3. The printing system 1000 may also be configured toselectively execute the operations in modes 1 and 3. In this fashion,the printing system 1000 may also be configured to alternatively executethe operation. The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment isapplicable to various forms.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to permit output of check printed materials to a specificdestination of a specific type of sheet processing apparatus, andinhibit output of check printed materials to another destination.

In the embodiment, a large-volume stacker with a tray exposed outsidethe housing as shown in FIG. 4 is available as the specific type ofsheet processing apparatus with the specific destination.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the production printed materials of a target job to adestination other than the sample tray of the large-volume stackerillustrated in FIG. 4. The control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to inhibit output of the check printed materials of the job to theproduction printed material destination, and to output them to thesample tray of the large-volume stacker illustrated in FIG. 4. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output theproduction printed materials of the job created by the production printoperation executed again after executing check print to the samedestination as that used in the production print operation before thestart of check print.

In the embodiment, even when the printing system 1000 has a systemconfiguration with a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to adopt, as thecheck printed material destination, a destination different from theproduction printed material destination.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output checkprinted materials to the sample tray serving as a destination exposedoutside the large-volume stacker shown in FIG. 4, regardless of a sheetprocessing type and destination necessary for the production printoperation of a target job. Then, the control unit 205 performs thefollowing exemplary control.

Assume that the target job is a stacker job requiring a stack trayinside the large-volume stacker in FIG. 4 as the production printedmaterial destination. Also in this case, the control unit 205 inhibitsoutput of the check printed materials of the job to the stack trayinside the large-volume stacker.

Assume that the target job is a glue binding job requiring a basketinside the glue binding apparatus in FIG. 5 as the production printedmaterial destination. Also in this case, the control unit 205 inhibitsoutput of the check printed materials of the job to the basket insidethe glue binding apparatus in FIG. 5.

Assume that the target job is a saddle stitching job requiring a bookletholding unit inside the saddle stitching apparatus in FIG. 6 as theproduction printed material destination. Also in this case, the controlunit 205 inhibits output of the check printed materials of the job tothe booklet holding unit.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 executes various controloperations relevant to the check print operation described withreference to FIGS. 12B to 14H for the printing system 1000. Whenexecuting check print, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the check printed materials of a target job to thedestination of a sheet processing apparatus different from thedestination of the production printed materials of the job.

The printing system 1000 can, therefore, meet the following exemplarydemands which may arise from the work site in a printing environmentsuch as the POD environment.

[Demands] There is a demand to maintain high operating ratio of theprinter unit 203 in a printing system which is made compact and canexecute a variety of post-processes to meet prospective requests fromcustomers. Especially, there is a demand to print a large volume ofdocuments of many jobs as simultaneously, concentratedly, successivelyas possible. That is, there is a demand to implement check print forobtaining a high-quality output result while keeping the printing systemoperating continuously.

The printing system 1000 can meet these demands, and can also preventany trouble such as the above-described new problem “check printedmaterials are mixed in production printed materials” owing to theconfiguration which meets the demands.

Since the printing system 1000 does not require any operatorintervention work to pick out check printed materials from productionprinted materials, the working efficiency of the operator increases in aconvenient operation environment.

Accordingly, the printing system 1000 can further enhance an effectcapable of minimizing the time necessary to completely process one job,and also an effect capable of successively processing a plurality ofjobs including subsequent jobs at quality and productivity as high aspossible.

Since the embodiment employs configurations corresponding to [mode 1] to[mode 3] described above, these effects can be further enhanced.

In the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to output check printed materials to the top sampletray on the housing of the large-volume stacker.

Assume that a destination which has not received any printed materialexists as a destination available as the production printed materialdestination. This destination is one other than the sample tray of thelarge-volume stacker.

A concrete example of this case is a situation in which no printedmaterial is stacked on the sample tray inside the large-volume stackerillustrated in FIG. 4.

Another concrete example of this case is a situation in which no printedmaterial is stacked in the basket inside the glue binding apparatusillustrated in FIG. 5.

Still another concrete example of this case is a situation in which noprinted material is stacked on the booklet holding unit inside thesaddle stitching apparatus in FIG. 6.

As described above, assume that a destination which has not received anyprinted material exists in the printing system 1000, but the destinationis not outside the housing, such as the sample tray of the large-volumestacker, but inside the housing.

In this case, even if the destination can receive printed materials, thecontrol unit 205 inhibits output of the check printed materials of atarget job to the destination. The control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to output the check printed materials of the job toa destination exposed outside the housing, such as the sample tray ofthe large-volume stacker.

This configuration can prevent various troubles as illustrated below:

“a trouble of outputting check printed materials to a destination insidea sheet processing apparatus in the printing system though the checkprinted materials are output to a destination different from that ofproduction printed materials, a trouble of forcing the operator tosearch a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses for check printedmaterials output to a given destination of a sheet processing apparatus,a trouble of hardly reducing the work loss and downtime because of thetime necessary to search for check printed materials though work to pickout check printed materials from production printed materials isunnecessary, and as a result a trouble of influencing the productivityand working efficiency.”

The configuration of the embodiment can omit the following work:

“operator intervention work to request the operator to open/close thefront cover of the large-volume stacker every time he takes out theoutput materials of check print because the check printed materials areoutput to a destination inside the large-volume stacker.”

With the configuration of the embodiment, while preventing a variety ofproblems as described above, check printed materials can be output to adestination which is different from the production printed materialdestination and enables the operator to recognize the presence ofprinted materials at a glance. The operator can quickly notice checkprinted materials.

The effect obtained by the embodiment: “a plurality of jobs can besuccessively processed concentratedly at the same time at productivityand quality as high as possible.” can be further improved. This effectcan be further enhanced by executing display control as described withreference to FIG. 15.

Processing in the flowchart of FIG. 17 will be explained. The processingin FIG. 17 falls within the process in step S113 of FIG. 16.

In step S300 of FIG. 17, the control unit 205 checks whether there is adestination available as that of check printed materials in the checkprint operation. In step S300 of FIG. 17, this destination is describedas a “check print destination”.

In step S300 of FIG. 17, the control unit 205 makes this determinationon the basis of, e.g., the following exemplary information.

(1) System configuration information of the printing system 1000. Thisinformation contains information on the sheet processing apparatus 200registered in advance in the memory of the print apparatus 100, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 9.

(2) Actual destination information for specifying the destination of apost-processing apparatus necessary in the production print operation ofa target job. The control unit 205 specifies this information on thebasis of information on print processing conditions set by the operatorfor the target job, as described above.

(3) Current destination status information for specifying the currentstatus of each destination serving as a printed material destinationcandidate in the printing system 1000. The control unit 205 specifiesthis information by acquiring pieces of information from the paperpresence/absence sensors of units in a plurality of sheet processingapparatuses in the printing system 1000.

The control unit 205 executes processing in the flowchart of FIG. 19showing details of the process in step S300 of FIG. 17.

In step S201 of FIG. 19, the control unit 205 determines, on the basisof the pieces of information (1) to (3), whether a destination which canreceive check printed materials and is not used in production printingexists in the printing system 1000. In step S201 of FIG. 19, thisdestination is described as a “delivery destination”.

If the control unit 205 determines that a destination which can receivecheck printed materials and is not used in production printing does notexist in the printing system 1000, it advances the process from stepS201 to step S203 in FIG. 19.

In step S203 of FIG. 19, the control unit 205 inhibits execution ofcheck print of a job for which the operator has issued a check printrequest.

For example, in step S111 of FIG. 16, the control unit 205 determinesthat the operator inputs the check print start request of the job withthe key 2304B in FIG. 13E during execution of the production printoperation. However, if NO in step S201 of FIG. 19, the control unit 205inhibits execution of the check print operation for the job in stepS203. In this case, the control unit 205 cancels (stops) execution ofthe check print operation without executing the check print operationfor the job in step S115 of FIG. 16. Also in this case, the control unit205 controls to return from the process in step S113 to the process instep S107 of FIG. 16 without executing (by skipping) the processes insteps S114 and S115 of FIG. 16. That is, in this case, the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to continue the production printoperation of the job that has started in step S106 of FIG. 16, withoutinterrupting the production print operation in step S114 of FIG. 16. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 todisplay a message that check print is inhibited (canceled), and thereason of the inhibition. The operation unit 204 executes thisnotification processing to the operator.

Assume that the control unit 205 determines in step S201 of FIG. 19 thata destination which can receive check printed materials and is not usedin production printing exists in the printing system 1000.

In this case, the control unit 205 formally permits acceptance of checkprint for the job in step S202, and advances the process from step S202in FIG. 19 to step S301 in FIG. 17.

In step S301 of FIG. 17, the control unit 205 determines, on the basisof the above-mentioned system configuration information and the like,whether a sheet processing apparatus having a sample tray exists in theprinting system 1000. This “sheet processing apparatus” corresponds to a“delivery apparatus” in step S301 of FIG. 17.

If NO in step S301, the control unit 205 advances the process from stepS301 to step S304.

In step S304, the control unit 205 executes one of processes which areexecutable by the printing system 1000 of the embodiment in order todecide a check printed material destination. This process corresponds toprocessing to decide a check printed material destination amongdestination candidates each permitted for use as a check printedmaterial destination other than the sample tray of the large-volumestacker illustrated in FIG. 4. In step S304, this processing correspondsto “delivery destination selection processing 2 (delivery to adestination other than the sample tray)”. Details of the process in stepS304 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18.“Actual printing” in the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18 corresponds tothe production print operation of a job subjected to check print.

If YES in step S301 of FIG. 17, the control unit 205 advances theprocess from step S301 to step S302. In step S302, the control unit 205determines, on the basis of the above-mentioned system configurationinformation and the like, whether a sample tray serving as a destinationnot used as the destination of production printed materials by theproduction print operation exists in the printing system 1000.

If NO in step S302, the control unit 205 advances the process from stepS302 to step S304. If YES in step S302, the control unit 205 advancesthe process from step S302 to step S303.

The process in step S303 is executed in a case where a plurality ofsheet processing apparatuses each permitted for use as a check printedmaterial destination exist in the printing system 1000. Also, theprocess in step S303 is executed in a case where these sheet processingapparatuses comprise sample trays illustrated in FIG. 4, respectively.In this case, in step S303, the control unit 205 selects one sheetprocessing apparatus from selection candidates each permitted for use asa check printed material destination, as a sheet processing apparatusserving as the check printed material destination of a job subjected tocheck print. In step S302, the control unit 205 executes processingbased on a mode set in advance for the print apparatus 100 manually bythe operator (or automatically as a device-specific setting value) among[mode 1] to [mode 3] described above. In this way, the control unit 205decides one specific type of sheet processing apparatus among aplurality of selection candidates in step S303. Then, the control unit205 advances the process from step S303 to step S305.

If there is only one selection candidate, the control unit 205 selectsit as a sheet processing apparatus serving as a check printed materialdestination. In this case, the control unit 205 skips the process instep S303, and advances the process from step S302 to step S305.

In step S305, the control unit 205 determines, on the basis of theabove-mentioned system configuration information and the like, whetherthe sheet processing apparatus selected in step S303 comprises aplurality of sample trays.

The large-volume stacker illustrated in FIG. 4 corresponds to a sheetprocessing apparatus having only one sample tray. Thus, when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG. 3, thecontrol unit 205 determines NO in step S305. In this case, the controlunit 205 decides the sample tray of the large-volume stacker as a checkprinted material destination, and advances the process from step S305 tostep S307.

If the sheet processing apparatus selected in step S303 comprises aplurality of sample trays, the control unit 205 advances the process tostep S306. In step S306, the control unit 205 causes the touch panelunit 401 to display a window for prompting the operator to select asample tray used as a check printed material destination among aplurality of sample trays. The control unit 205 decides one sample trayin accordance with the selection by the operator.

In step S307, the control unit 205 determines, on the basis of theabove-mentioned system configuration information and the like, whetherthe “check printed material destination” decided in step S305 or 5306 isthe destination of a sheet processing apparatus capable of switchingbetween face-up and face-down.

“Face-down” corresponds to an operation mode in which a print medium isdischarged to the destination with a print surface bearing print data ofan odd-numbered page among target image data facing down, and the printmedium is stacked and held at the destination in this state. This modewill be called the first stacking mode. When this mode is executed, theprint order of print data is the same as the order of storing the printdata in the HDD 209. That is, print data are printed in order from thefirst page, and print data of the final page is printed last. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute the firststacking mode in this print order.

“Face-up” corresponds to an operation mode in which a print medium isdischarged to the destination with a print surface bearing print data ofan odd-numbered page among target image data facing up, and the printmedium is stacked and held at the destination in this state. This modewill be called the second stacking mode. When this mode is executed, theprint order of print data is opposite to the order of storing the printdata in the HDD 209. That is, print data are printed in order from thefinal page, and print data of the first page is printed last. Thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute the secondstacking mode in this print order.

If the destination decided as a check printed material destination cancope with stacking processes in these two stacking modes, the controlunit 205 advances the process from step S307 to step S308.

In step S308, the control unit 205 confirms which of two modes (modes Aand B) prepared in advance is set. Examples of these modes are asfollows.

[Mode A] The check printed materials of a target job is output andstacked at the destination in the same stacking form as that ofproduction printed materials in the production print operation of thejob.

Assume that the target job is a job requiring the stacking form of thefirst stacking mode in the production print operation. When mode A isset, the control unit 205 executes output of check printed materials inthe first stacking mode in the check print operation of the job.

Assume that the target job is a job requiring the stacking form of thesecond stacking mode in the production print operation. When mode A isset, the control unit 205 executes output of check printed materials inthe second stacking mode in the check print operation of the job.

Check printed materials output in mode A take the same stacking form asthat of production printed materials. When executing check print,neither the page order of print data nor the stacking form need bechanged by switching the control sequence. This can put importance onproductivity without any extra load on the printing system 1000.

[Mode B] When mode B is set, the control unit 205 executes output ofcheck printed materials in the second stacking mode in the check printoperation of a target job regardless of the stacking form of productionprinted materials in the production print operation of the job.

Check printed materials are output in mode B while the print surface ofeach image printed for check faces up. This allows the operator to seethe print result of check print without turning over the printedmaterial, putting importance on operability.

As described above, either mode has user advantages. The operator canset either mode at menu settings on the operation unit 204.

In step S308 of FIG. 17, the control unit 205 selects either of theabove-mentioned two stacking modes on the basis of which of modes A andB is set. Based on preset conditions, the control unit 205 decides whichof the first and second stacking modes is employed to process the checkprinted materials of a target job.

Assume that the destination decided as a check printed materialdestination does not cope with stacking processes in these two stackingmodes. In this case, the control unit 205 determines NO in step S307.Then, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to outputcheck printed materials by an operation corresponding to mode A withoutexecuting selection confirmation of mode A or B, or the like.

After that, the control unit 205 determines NO in step S308 or 5307, andreturns the process again to step S114 in the main flowchart of FIG. 16.The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute, instep S115 of FIG. 16, a check print operation reflecting thedetermination result in the sub-flowchart of FIG. 17.

Next, details of the process in step S304 of FIG. 17 will be explainedwith reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18 showing details of thisprocess.

The processing in FIG. 18 is performed when outputting check printedmaterials by the check print operation to a destination other than thesample tray of the large-volume stacker. The processing in FIG. 18 isperformed when the printing system 1000 has the system configurationshown in FIG. 20 and the sample tray of the large-volume stacker is usedin the production print operation.

In step S401 of FIG. 18, the control unit 205 checks whether a sheetprocessing apparatus which is not used in the production print operationand can output check printed materials exists in the printing system1000. For example, when the saddle stitching apparatus 200 c is used inthe production print operation in the system configuration of FIG. 20,the large-volume stackers 200 a and 200 b are not used in the productionprint operation. However, assume that printed materials have alreadybeen stacked on the sample trays of the large-volume stackers 200 a and200 b, and the large-volume stackers 200 a and 200 b are not available.In this case, the control unit 205 determines NO in step S401. In stepS403, the control unit 205 selects the saddle stitching apparatus 200 cused in the production print operation. Even in this case, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the check printedmaterials of a job having undergone check print to a vacant tray notused in the production print operation among externally exposed trays ofthe saddle stitching apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6.

If NO in step S401, the control unit 205 advances the process from stepS401 to step S403. In step S403, the control unit 205 selects a sheetprocessing apparatus used in the production print operation. Also inthis case, the control unit 205 selects a destination not used forproduction printed materials, as described above.

If YES in step S401, the control unit 205 advances the process from stepS401 to step S402. In step S402, the control unit 205 selects a sheetprocessing apparatus used to output check printed materials. As thisselection method, there are three methods (mode 1 to mode 3) describedabove. After the process in step S403, the process advances to stepS404.

In step S404, the control unit 205 checks whether destinations (trays)not used in the production print operation exist inside and outside thesheet processing apparatus selected in step S402 or 5403. Assume that aplurality of destinations which do not receive any production printedmaterial and can receive check printed materials exist inside andoutside one sheet processing apparatus selected in step S402 or S403. Inthis case, the control unit 205 shifts the process from step S404 tostep S405. In step S405, the control unit 205 preferentially selects adestination outside the sheet processing apparatus as the check printedmaterial destination. To the contrary, assume that a destinationcandidate which does not receive any production printed material and canreceive check printed materials exists only inside one sheet processingapparatus selected in step S402 or 5403. In this case, the control unit205 shifts the process from step S404 to step S406. In step S406, thecontrol unit 205 decides a destination inside the sheet processingapparatus as the check printed material destination.

In step S407, the control unit 205 determines whether the destinationselected in step S405 or 5406 can switch between face-up and face-down.If YES in step S407, the control unit 205 advances the process from stepS407 to step S408. In step S408, the control unit 205 decides which ofoperations based on modes A and B is executed in the check printoperation of a target job. If NO in step S407, the control unit 205skips the process in step S408.

After the end of the process in the flowchart of FIG. 18, the controlunit 205 returns the process again to step S114 in the main flowchart ofFIG. 16. Then, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toexecute in step S115 of FIG. 16 a check print operation reflecting theresult of deciding the sheet processing apparatus and destination in thesub-flowchart of FIG. 18.

The method of deciding a check print operation destination in the checkprint operation illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19 is merely an example. Anymethod is applicable to the embodiment as long as one of the followingillustrative [control example 1] to [control example 3] is executable,like the printing system 1000 according to the embodiment. In theembodiment, the printing system 1000 executes these control operationswhen the control unit 205 reads out a computer-readable/executablecomputer program from the memory of the print apparatus 100 and executesit to perform control operations in the following [control example 1] to[control example 3].

[Control Example 1 for Printed Material Destination in Control Relatedto Check Print Operation by Printing System 1000]

The first control example corresponding to control related to a printedmaterial destination will be explained with reference to FIG. 21. Thiscontrol example is one control related to the check print operationexecuted by the control unit 205. FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing indetail printed material destination candidates in the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 3 and 21 show the same systemconfiguration.

For example, the control unit 205 confirms the above-mentioned systemconfiguration information registered in the memory of the printapparatus 100. Assume that the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 21. In this case, the control unit 205confirms the following [confirmation matter 1-1] and [confirmationmatter 1-2] on the basis of the system configuration informationregistered in the HDD 209.

[Confirmation Matter 1-1] When the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 205 specifies that thetotal number of destinations (delivery destinations) capable of holdingsheets printed by the printer unit 203 is six.

[Confirmation Matter 1-2] When the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 205 confirms that thestack tray inside the large-volume stacker exists as the firstdestination (to be referred to as destination X1 as shown in FIG. 21).

Also, when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shownin FIG. 21, the control unit 205 confirms that the external sample trayat the top of the large-volume stacker exists as the second destination(to be referred to as destination X2 as shown in FIG. 21).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.21, the control unit 205 confirms that the basket inside the gluebinding apparatus exists as the third destination (to be referred to asdestination Y as shown in FIG. 21).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.21, the control unit 205 confirms that the first tray outside the saddlestitching apparatus exists as the fourth destination (to be referred toas destination Z1 as shown in FIG. 21).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.21, the control unit 205 confirms that the second tray outside thesaddle stitching apparatus exists as the fifth destination (to bereferred to as destination Z2 as shown in FIG. 21).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.21, the control unit 205 confirms that the tray inside the saddlestitching apparatus exists as the sixth destination (to be referred toas destination Z3 as shown in FIG. 21).

In this manner, when the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 205 makes confirmationas illustrated in [confirmation matter 1-1] and [confirmation matter1-2] on the basis of the aforementioned system configurationinformation. Assume that a job to be processed by the printing system1000 is a job corresponding to one of the following exemplary cases inthe system configuration shown in FIG. 21.

[Case 1-1] The target job is a stacker job, and requires the use ofdestination X1 in FIG. 21 as the production printed material destinationof the job.

[Case 1-2] The target job is a glue binding job, and requires the use ofdestination Y in FIG. 21 as the production printed material destinationof the job.

[Case 1-3] The target job is a job requiring sheet processing by thesaddle stitching apparatus, and requires the use of one of destinationsZ1 to Z3 in FIG. 21 as the production printed material destination ofthe job.

As described above, the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 21, and the job to be processed by theprinting system 1000 corresponds to one of [case 1-1] to [case 1-3]. Inthis case, the control unit 205 sequentially executes the followingillustrative [control 1-1] and [control 1-2] for the job.

[Control 1-1] The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 toaccept a check print request for a target job from the operator whilethe printing system 1000 executes the production print operation of thejob. A description of the control on the operation unit 204 is the sameas the aforementioned control on the operation unit 204, and will not berepeated.

[Control 1-2] Assume that the operator issues a check print request forthe target job via the operation unit 204 during execution of productionprinting of the job. In response to this request, the control unit 205causes the printing system 1000 to interrupt the production printoperation of the job and start check print of the job.

When executing the check print operation of the job, the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the check printedmaterials of the job to externally exposed destination X2 of thelarge-volume stacker shown in FIG. 21. The control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to inhibit the use of a destination other thandestination X2 as the check printed material destination of the job.

Upon completion of outputting the check printed materials of the job todestination X2, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000to automatically resume the production print operation of the job. Inthe resume operation, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the production printed materials of the job to the samedestination as that used for the job before the start of the check printoperation of the job.

In this way, the printing system 1000 is configured to execute a seriesof control operations including [control 1-1] and [control 1-2] inaccordance with the processes of the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 16to 19 upon receiving a check print request in the system configurationshown in FIG. 21.

[Control Example 2 for Printed Material Destination in Control Relatedto Check Print Operation by Printing System 1000]

The second control example corresponding to control related to a printedmaterial destination will be explained with reference to FIG. 22. Thiscontrol example is one control related to the check print operationexecuted by the control unit 205. FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing indetail printed material destination candidates in the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 20. FIGS. 20 and 22 show the same systemconfiguration.

As described above, the control unit 205 confirms the aforementionedsystem configuration information. Assume that the printing system 1000has the system configuration shown in FIG. 22. In this case, the controlunit 205 confirms the following exemplary [confirmation matter 2-1] and[confirmation matter 2-2] on the basis of the system configurationinformation.

[Confirmation Matter 2-1] When the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 22, the control unit 205 specifies that thetotal number of destinations (delivery destinations) capable of holdingsheets printed by the printer unit 203 is seven.

[Confirmation Matter 2-2] When the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 22, the control unit 205 confirms that thestack tray inside the large-volume stacker of the first connection orderexists as the first destination (to be referred to as destination X1 asshown in FIG. 22).

Also, when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shownin FIG. 22, the control unit 205 confirms that the external sample trayat the top of the large-volume stacker of the first connection orderexists as the second destination (to be referred to as destination X2 asshown in FIG. 22).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.22, the control unit 205 confirms that the stack tray inside thelarge-volume stacker of the second connection order exists as the thirddestination (to be referred to as destination Y1 as shown in FIG. 22).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.22, the control unit 205 confirms that the external sample tray at thetop of the large-volume stacker of the second connection order exists asthe fourth destination (to be referred to as destination Y2 as shown inFIG. 22).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.22, the control unit 205 confirms that the first tray outside the saddlestitching apparatus of the third connection order exists as the fifthdestination (to be referred to as destination Z1 as shown in FIG. 22).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.22, the control unit 205 confirms that the second tray outside thesaddle stitching apparatus of the third connection order exists as thesixth destination (to be referred to as destination Z2 as shown in FIG.22).

When the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG.22, the control unit 205 confirms that the tray inside the saddlestitching apparatus of the third connection order exists as the seventhdestination (to be referred to as destination Z3 as shown in FIG. 22).

In this fashion, when the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 22, the control unit 205 makes confirmationas illustrated in [confirmation matter 2-1] and [confirmation matter2-2] on the basis of the aforementioned system configurationinformation. Assume that a job to be processed by the printing system1000 is a job corresponding to one of the following illustrative casesin the system configuration shown in FIG. 22.

[Case 2-1] The target job is a stacker job, and requires the use ofdestination X1 in FIG. 22 as the production printed material destinationof the job.

[Case 2-2] The target job is a stacker job, and requires the use ofdestination Y1 in FIG. 22 as the production printed material destinationof the job.

[Case 2-3] The target job is a job requiring sheet processing by thesaddle stitching apparatus, and requires the use of one of destinationsZ1 to Z3 in FIG. 22 as the production printed material destination ofthe job.

As described above, the printing system 1000 has the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 22, and the job to be processed by theprinting system 1000 corresponds to one of [case 2-1] to [case 2-3]. Inthis case, the control unit 205 sequentially executes the followingillustrative [control 2-1] and [control 2-2] for the job.

[Control 2-1] The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 toaccept a check print request for a target job from the operator duringexecution of the production print operation of the job.

[Control 2-2] Assume that the operator issues a check print request forthe job via the operation unit 204 during execution of productionprinting of the job. In response to this request, the control unit 205causes the printing system 1000 to interrupt the production printoperation of the job and start check print of the job.

When executing the check print operation of the job, the control unit205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the check printedmaterials of the job to destination X2 of the first large-volume stackerclosest to the print apparatus 100 regardless of the production printedmaterial destination of the job. In this manner, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to utilize destination X2 of thelarge-volume stacker arranged upstream in the sheet conveyance directionin FIG. 22 as the check printed material destination of the target jobregardless of the production printed material destination of the job.

Upon completion of outputting the check printed materials of the job todestination X2 of the large-volume stacker, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to automatically resume the productionprint operation of the job. At this time, the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to output the production printed materials ofthe job to the same destination as that used for the job before thestart of the check print operation of the job.

In this way, the printing system 1000 is configured to execute a seriesof control operations including [control 2-1] and [control 2-2] inaccordance with the processes of the above-described flowcharts uponreceiving a check print request in the system configuration shown inFIG. 22.

[Control Example 3 for Printed Material Destination in Control Relatedto Check Print Operation by Printing System 1000]

The third control example corresponding to control related to a printedmaterial destination will be explained with reference to FIG. 22 again.This control example is one control related to the check print operationexecuted by the control unit 205.

For example, the control unit 205 confirms system configurationinformation as in the above-described control examples. Assume that theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG. 22. Thatis, the control unit 205 makes the same confirmations as theabove-described [confirmation matter 2-1] and [confirmation matter 2-2]on the basis of the system configuration information registered inadvance in the memory of the print apparatus 100.

Assume that the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shownin FIG. 22, and a job to be processed by the printing system 1000 is ajob corresponding to one of the above-mentioned cases [case 2-1] to[case 2-3] in this system configuration. These conditions are the sameas those in control example 2 described above. However, in controlexample 3, control different from that in control example 2 is executed.In control example 3, the control unit 205 sequentially executes thefollowing illustrative [control 3-1] and [control 3-2] for the targetjob.

[Control 3-1] The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 toaccept a check print request for a target job from the operator duringexecution of the production print operation of the job. This is the sameas in the above-mentioned control examples.

[Control 3-2] Assume that the operator issues a check print request forthe target job via the operation unit 204 during execution of productionprinting of the job. In response to this request, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to interrupt the production printoperation of the job. Further in control example 3, the control unit 205confirms which of destinations X1 to Z3 in FIG. 22 is the productionprinted material destination of the job.

As a result, assume that the control unit 205 confirms that theproduction printed material destination of the job is not destination X1but one of destinations Y1 and Z1 to Z3 in FIG. 22. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the checkprinted materials of the job to destination Y2 of the secondlarge-volume stacker in FIG. 22.

In contrast, assume that the production printed material destination ofthe job is destination X1 in FIG. 22. In this case, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to output the check printed materialsof the job to destination X2 of the first large-volume stacker in FIG.22.

In control example 3, the control unit 205 confirms two selectioncandidates: destination X2 of the first large-volume stacker anddestination Y2 of the second large-volume stacker in FIG. 22, each ofwhich corresponds to an exposed destination (delivery portion) at thetop of the apparatus. The control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to utilize, as the check printed material destination of the job, adestination closer to the production printed material destination of thejob out of the two destination selection candidates.

Upon completion of outputting the check printed materials of the job,the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to automaticallyresume the production print operation of the job. At this time, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output theproduction printed materials of the job to the same destination as thatused for the job before the start of check print of the job.

In this manner, the printing system 1000 is configured to execute aseries of control operations including [control 3-1] and [control 3-2]in accordance with the processes of the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS.16 to 19 upon receiving a check print request in the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 22.

Control example 1 in FIG. 21 and control example 2 in FIG. 22 correspondto control examples in which the control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to execute an operation corresponding to mode 1 or mode 3illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 17 or the like. In contrast,control example 3 in FIG. 22 corresponds to a control example in whichthe control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute anoperation corresponding to mode 2 illustrated in the flowchart of FIG.17 or the like.

As for the three control examples with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 to30, the printing system 1000 according to the embodiment may also beconfigured to execute all the three control examples and selectivelyexecute them. Alternatively, the printing system 1000 may also beconfigured to selectively execute only two of the three controlexamples. Alternatively, the printing system 1000 may also be configuredto selectively execute only one of the three control examples. In thisfashion, various configurations are applicable to the printing system1000 according to the embodiment.

As described above, the printing system 1000 according to the embodimentis configured as follows. That is, the control unit 205 canautomatically decide the production printed material destination of thejob on the basis of a finishing type (setting contents of sheetprocessing) set by the operator, and the system configuration of theprinting system 1000.

As another method, the printing system 1000 is configured to allow theoperator to explicitly designate the destination of production materialsprinted by the production print operation. This will be exemplified withreference to FIGS. 23A to 23E.

For example, at present, the operator is to set printing conditions viathe operation unit 204 for the production print operation prior to thestart of the production print operation. Assume that the operatorpresses the “finishing” key in the window of FIG. 13A described above.In response to this, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit401 to execute a display shown in FIG. 23A.

Windows illustrated in FIGS. 23A to 23E are ones displayed on the touchpanel unit 401 under the control of the control unit 205 when theprinting system 1000 is configured to utilize two sheet processingapparatuses, e.g., the large-volume stacker shown in FIG. 4 and thesaddle stitching apparatus shown in FIG. 6. As described above, thecontrol unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to present displaycontents based on the aforementioned system configuration informationeven when displaying the windows illustrated in FIGS. 23A to 23E.

The control unit 205 controls to display an outline of the saddlestitching apparatus and large-volume stacker in a display area 3303 inthe window of FIG. 23A so that the operator can explicitly, graphicallyunderstand the presence of the two, saddle stitching apparatus andlarge-volume stacker in the printing system 1000.

The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 so that theoperator can use a key 3301 or key 3302 in FIG. 23A to explicitly decidewhich of the sheet processing apparatuses is used.

Assume that the operator presses the key 3301 in a window 3300 of FIG.23A. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to utilize the destination of the saddle stitching apparatus in theprinting system 1000 as the production printed material destination ofthe job. When the saddle stitching apparatus is selected, the controlunit 205 controls the operation unit 204 so that the operator candesignate a finishing type necessary for a production job in a settingfield 3304 from a plurality of finishing types executable by the saddlestitching apparatus.

To the contrary, assume that the operator presses the key 3302 in thewindow 3300 of FIG. 23A. In this case, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to utilize the large-volume stacker in the printingsystem 1000 as the production printed material destination of the job.

The control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to switch thedisplay in FIG. 23A to one in FIG. 23B when the operator presses the key3302. A setting field 3305 in the window of FIG. 23B has a stackerdelivery destination selection column 3306.

The operator can decide, via the selection column 3306, which of adestination (stack tray in FIG. 4) inside the large-volume stacker and adestination (sample tray in FIG. 4) exposed outside the large-volumestacker is used as the production printed material destination. A “stackportion” as a choice in the selection column 3306 corresponds to thestuck tray of the large-volume stacker in FIG. 4. A “delivery tray” as achoice in the selection column 3306 corresponds to the sample tray ofthe large-volume stacker in FIG. 4.

In response to the press of the selection column 3306 by the operator,the control unit 205 changes the display form of the selection column3306 to one illustrated in FIG. 23C. The control unit 205 controls thetouch panel unit 401 to present two destination choices of onelarge-volume stacker to the operator, as represented by the display ofthe selection column 3306 in FIG. 23C.

Assume that the operator selects the “stack portion” in the selectioncolumn 3306. In this case, the control unit 205 determines that theoperator has selected the destination (stuck tray) inside thelarge-volume stacker as the production printed material destination ofthe job in the production print operation, as shown in FIG. 23B. Inaccordance with the selection instruction, the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to use the destination (stuck tray) inside thelarge-volume stacker as the production printed material destination ofthe job in the production print operation.

In contrast, assume that the operator selects the “delivery tray” in theselection column 3306. In this case, the control unit 205 determinesthat the operator has selected the destination (sample tray) outside thelarge-volume stacker as the production printed material destination ofthe job in the production print operation, as shown in FIG. 23D. Inaccordance with the selection instruction, the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to use the destination (sample tray) outsidethe large-volume stacker as the production printed material destinationof the job in the production print operation.

As described in step S308 of FIG. 17 and step S408 of FIG. 18, theprinting system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured to allowthe operator to explicitly designate which of operations in face-up andface-down stacking modes is executed in the production print operation.This configuration will be explained with reference to FIGS. 23A to 23E.

For example, the windows in FIGS. 23A to 23D each have a “designatedelivery surface” key. Assume that the operator presses this key. Inresponse to this key operation, the control unit 205 causes the touchpanel unit 401 to display a window 3300E illustrated in FIG. 23E.

If the operator presses a “face down” key in the window 3300E, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute anoperation corresponding to the above-described first stacking mode inthe production print operation of the job.

If the operator presses a “face up” key in the window 3300E, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute an operationcorresponding to the above-described second stacking mode in theproduction print operation of the job.

As illustrated in FIGS. 23A to 23E, the printing system 1000 isconfigured to allow the operator to explicitly designate the destinationand delivery surface of the production printed materials of a target jobin the production print operation before inputting a print executioninstruction for the job.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 23E, the printing system 1000is configured to output materials printed by the print apparatus 100 tothe destination of one of sheet processing apparatuses. Sheet processingapparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 which are available in theprinting system 1000 of the embodiment will be called inline finishers(inline type post-processing apparatuses) in order to discriminate themfrom the apparatuses 107 to 110 in FIG. 1. These apparatuses can executea variety of sheet processes (synonymous with post-processes andfinishings).

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the production printed materials of a target job to adestination corresponding to the type of finishing necessary for thetarget job.

The control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 so that theoperator can explicitly or indirectly designate the production printedmaterial destination of the job on the basis of the print processingconditions of the job accepted from the operator via the operation unit204 before input of the print execution request of the job.

Upon receiving the production print operation execution request of thejob, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to start theproduction print operation of the job. This print operation correspondsto the first print processing. During execution of the production printoperation of the job, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit204 to accept a specific request from the operator to cause the printingsystem 1000 to execute check processing concerning print processing bythe printing system 1000. The check processing corresponds to checkprint processing in the embodiment, and the specific request correspondsto a check print request in the embodiment. The check print request inthe embodiment is a request to cause the printing system 1000 to executecheck processing so that the operator can visually check the printresult of a job printed by the printing system 1000.

By executing the check processing, the operator can easily, quicklyconfirm the print data and output form (copy ratio, print layout,glossiness, print density, and the like) of a job printed on a printmedium by the printing system 1000.

As examples of the user interface unit, the embodiment has exemplifiedoperation devices such as the operation unit 204 having the touch panelunit 401 and the display, mouse, and keyboard of a host computer.However, a user interface unit of another type or configuration is alsoavailable.

Assume that the control unit 205 accepts the specific request from theoperator via the operation unit 204 in a state in which the printapparatus 100 executes the production print operation of the job.

In response to the specific request, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to automatically interrupt (suspend) the productionprint operation of the job in execution in the printing system 1000without receiving any explicit print interruption request from theoperator.

Immediately after interrupting the production print operation of thejob, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toautomatically start check processing in accordance with the specificrequest. In the embodiment, as an example of check processing, the printapparatus 100 executes print processing under the control of the controlunit 205 by using print data which is exploited in the production printoperation of the print operation-interrupted job. This print processingcorresponds to the second print processing. That is, the second printprocessing corresponds to the check print operation in the embodiment.

Immediately after the completion of the check print operation of thejob, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toautomatically resume the production print operation of theprint-interrupted job.

In this fashion, the control unit 205 enables the printing system 1000to automatically execute the three types of operations in series:suspension of production print processing of a target job, execution ofcheck print of the job, and resume of production print processing of thejob. The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 includingthe print apparatus 100 to execute a series of operations includingthese three types of operations when the operator inputs a check printrequest with the key 2304B during execution of the production printoperation of the job.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can accept a specific requestfrom the operator via the operation unit 204 during the first printprocessing by the print apparatus 100. Upon accepting the specificrequest, the control unit 205 interrupts the first print processing. Thecontrol unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to execute checkprocessing after interrupting the first print processing. As the checkprocessing, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 toexecute the second print processing using print data necessary toperform the first print processing. After performing the checkprocessing, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 toresume the first print processing.

Further, the control unit 205 inhibits output of the check printedmaterials of the job in the check print operation to the samedestination as a printed material destination necessary in theproduction print operation of the job. The control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to output the check printed materials of the job inthe check print operation to a destination of an inline finisher that isdifferent from a printed material destination necessary in theproduction print operation of the job.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 so that theoperator can specify which of inline finishers in the printing system1000 is employed as the check printed material destination.

For example, the control unit 205 performs the following control even ina case where the production printed materials of a check print-requestedjob is output to a destination inside an inline finisher in theproduction print operation.

For example, even in this case, the control unit 205 inhibits output ofthe check printed materials of the job to the destination inside theinline finisher in the check print operation.

In this case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tooutput the check printed materials of the job to a destination outsidethis inline finisher or another inline finisher in the check printoperation.

When a plurality of inline finishers are connected to the printapparatus 100 in the printing system 1000 according to the embodimentand are available, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to execute the following operation.

Assume that the production printed materials of the job is output via aspecific inline finisher to the destination of an inline finisher on theoutput side (downstream in the sheet conveyance direction) in theproduction print operation.

According to the embodiment, even in this case, the control unit 205inhibits output of the check printed materials of the job to thedestination of the inline finisher on the output side in the check printoperation.

In this case, the control unit 205 can output the check printedmaterials of the job by check print to the destination of theabove-mentioned specific inline finisher on the input side (upstream) ofthe inline finisher serving as the production printed materialdestination. In the embodiment, this specific inline finisher is thelarge-volume stacker.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured toutilize a plurality of inline finishers capable of executing differenttypes of finishing, such as the first and second type inline finishers.In the embodiment, the first type inline finisher is the large-volumestacker in FIG. 4. In the embodiment, the second type inline finisher isthe glue binding apparatus in FIG. 5 or the saddle stitching apparatusin FIG. 6.

In this system configuration, assume that the control unit 205 controlsthe printing system 1000 to output the printed materials of the jobnecessary for the production print operation to the destination of thesecond type inline finisher.

Even in this case, the control unit 205 inhibits output of the checkprinted materials of the job to the destination of the second typeinline finisher in the check print operation. In this case, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the check printedmaterials of the job by check print to the destination of the first typeinline finisher.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured sothat a plurality of inline finishers including at least two first typeinline finishers each having the first and second destinations can becoupled to the print apparatus 100. In the embodiment, an example of thefirst destination is the sample tray of the large-volume stacker in FIG.4, and an example of the second destination is the stack tray of thelarge-volume stacker.

In this system configuration, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to output the printed materials of the job necessary for theproduction print operation to a destination other than the firstdestination of the first type inline finisher.

For example, the control unit 205 controls to output the printedmaterials of the job necessary in the production print operation to thesecond destination of an upstream one of the two first type inlinefinishers. Depending on the processing conditions of the job, thecontrol unit 205 controls to output the printed materials of the jobnecessary in the production print operation to the second destination ofa downstream first type inline finisher. In either case, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the check printedmaterials of the target job to the first destination of the upstreamfirst type inline finisher. This control example corresponds to controlexample 1 using FIG. 21 and control example 2 using FIG. 22.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output the check printed materials of the job to a destinationcloser to the production printed material destination of the job out oftwo first destinations in the two sheet processing apparatuses. Thiscontrol example corresponds to control example 3 illustrated in FIG. 22.

Moreover in the embodiment, the control unit 205 enables the printingsystem 1000 to selectively execute the face-down operation and face-upoperation for each job. The face-down operation is to output printedmaterials to a destination in the printing system 1000 while the printresults of odd-numbered pages of the printed materials necessary in theprint operation of a target job face down, as described above. Theface-up operation is to output printed materials to a destination in theprinting system 1000 while the print results of odd-numbered pages ofthe printed materials necessary in the print operation of a target jobface up, as described above.

Assume that a job subjected to check print requires the face-downoperation in the production print operation. In this case, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute the face-downoperation even in outputting the check printed materials of the job. Incontrast, assume that a job subjected to check print requires theface-up operation in the production print operation. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to execute theface-up operation even in outputting the check printed materials of thejob.

However, even when the face-down operation is necessary in theproduction print operation of a check print-requested job, the controlunit 205 may control the printing system 1000 to execute the face-upoperation in check print of the job.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured toexecute this selective control.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 enables the operation unit 204according to the embodiment to execute a display which allows theoperator to specify the check printed material destination of a checkprint-requested job, as described above.

In the absence of any destination candidate different from a printedmaterial destination necessary in the production print operation, thecontrol unit 205 inhibits acceptance of a check print request for thejob from the operator via the operation unit 204.

As described above, upon accepting a check print request, the controlunit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to interrupt print processing(corresponding to production print processing) of the checkprint-requested job. Immediately after interrupting print processing,the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to execute checkprocessing for the job. In the embodiment, as the check processing, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to read out printdata of the interrupted job from the HDD 209 and execute check printprocessing using the print data, as described above. Immediately afterthe end of check processing, the control unit 205 causes the printingsystem 1000 to automatically resume (continue) print processing(corresponding to production print processing) of the interrupted job.

Prior to the start of check print, the control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 so that the operator can designate whether to printone or all pages of print data of the job, as the check print operationof the job.

As described above, the printing system 1000 according to the embodimenthas the test copy function of executing the test copy operation beforeaccepting the print execution request of a target job from the operator.As a function independent of the test copy function, the printing system1000 according to the embodiment has the check print function ofexecuting the aforementioned check print.

As described above, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204so that the operator can use it to designate, for each target job, whichof the operations of the test copy function and check print function isto be executed.

In this manner, the printing system 1000 according to the embodiment isconfigured to execute, as an operation independent of the check printoperation, the test copy operation of executing test copy beforeaccepting the print execution request of a target job from the operator.

As described above, the control unit 205 separately decides whether toexecute the test copy operation and whether to execute the check printoperation.

Assume that the target job requires printing of copies and requiresfinishing such as sorting or stapling. In this case, the control unit205 permits execution of the test copy operation for the job. The timingwhen the control unit 205 permits acceptance of the execution request ofthe test copy operation is the timing before the printing system 1000starts the production print operation of the job. To the contrary, thetiming when the control unit 205 permits acceptance of a check printrequest is the timing when the production print operation of the targetjob is in execution, as described above. Assume that the productionprint operation of a target job is in execution in the printing system1000. In this case, the control unit 205 permits acceptance of a checkprint request for the job from the operator via the operation unit 204.

As described above, in the embodiment, the control unit 205 permitsoutput of the printed materials of the job in the production printoperation to the same destination as the test copy printed materialdestination of the job having undergone the test copy operation.However, the control unit 205 inhibits output of the printed materialsof the job in the production print operation to the same destination asthe check printed material destination of the job having undergone thecheck print operation.

In the embodiment, assume that the test copy operation is executed asdescribed above. In this case, the control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 so that the operator can use the operation unit 204to change print processing conditions relating to the print operation ofthe job having undergone the test copy operation but not relating to theprint operation of another job.

Assume that the check print operation is executed. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 controls the operation unit 204 so that the operatorcan change, via the operation unit 204, print processing conditionsrelating to the print operation of the job having undergone the checkprint operation and also relating to the print operation of another job.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to utilize thecheck print function even for a job having undergone the test copyoperation and execute the check print operation of the job. For example,the printing system 1000 further executes the control in FIG. 12B evenfor a job having undergone the test copy operation by the control inFIG. 12A. In this way, the control unit 205 enables the printing system1000 to execute the check print operation even for a job havingundergone test copy prior to the start of the production printoperation. This implements a printing environment where many mechanismsof ensuring high-quality printed materials as products are employed,further improving effects attained by the printing system 1000.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 outputs the check printedmaterials of a target job to an inline finisher different from theprinted material destination of the job necessary in the printoperation. The control unit 205 enables the printing system 1000 toautomatically resume the production print operation of the job uponcompletion of check print. The control unit 205 can accept a check printrequest again from the operator via the operation unit 204 to output thecheck printed materials of the job until the resumed print operation ofthe job ends in the printing system 1000.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment has an automaticdestination decision mode in which the printed materials of a target jobis output to a destination decided by the control unit 205 on the basisof the type of post-processing set by the operator via the operationunit 204 for the job.

The printing system 1000 also has a manual destination decision mode inwhich the printed materials of a target job are output to thedestination of a post-processing apparatus explicitly designated by theoperator via the operation unit 204 for the job.

In the embodiment, regardless of which of the two modes is executed, thecontrol unit 205 enables the printing system 1000 to output the checkprinted materials of a target job to the destination of an inlinefinisher different from the printed material destination of the job.

Assume that the printing system 1000 starts feeding the printedmaterials of a job necessary in the production print operation uponreceiving a check print request, as described above. In this case, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to start feeding thecheck printed materials (sheets before printing) of the job necessaryfor the check print operation even if the fed printed materials have notbeen completely output to a destination used in the production printoperation.

The print apparatus 100 according to the embodiment comprises the HDD209 capable of storing data of a plurality of types of jobs including ajob requiring print processing of print data from the document readerand a job requiring print processing of print data from an externalapparatus. As described above, the control unit 205 accepts a checkprint request via various UI units applicable to the printing system1000, such as the operation unit 204 and the display, keyboard, andmouse of an external apparatus such as the PC 104. Accordingly, thecontrol unit 205 can execute control related to the check printoperation of the embodiment for any type of job among a plurality oftypes of jobs.

In the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 205 controls theoperation unit 204 to accept the execution request of check processingconcerning the first print processing from the operator via theoperation unit 204 while the print apparatus 100 executes the firstprint processing (corresponding to the production print operation). Uponaccepting this request, the control unit 205 interrupts the first printprocessing. Immediately after the interruption, the control unit 205controls the print apparatus 100 to automatically execute checkprocessing (corresponding to the check print operation) instead of thefirst print processing preferentially to the completion of the firstprint processing. As check processing, the control unit 205 causes theprint apparatus 100 to read out print data used in the first printprocessing from the HDD 209 and execute the second print processingusing the print data. Immediately after the end of check processing, thecontrol unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to automaticallycontinue the first print processing by the print apparatus 100.

The configuration has been explained in which the print apparatus 100automatically continues (resumes) the first print processing withoutaccepting an instruction from the operator after performing checkprocessing.

In the embodiment, however, the print apparatus 100 may continue(resume) the first print processing when accepting an instruction fromthe operator after performing check processing. For example, it is alsopossible to accept an instruction from the operator via the operationunit 204 after executing check print without automatically resuming theproduction print operation immediately after executing check print, andthen resume the production print operation of a job.

The printing system 1000 has two modes: a mode in which the first printprocessing continues upon accepting an instruction from the operatorafter executing check processing, and a mode in which the first printprocessing automatically continues without accepting any instructionfrom the operator after executing check processing, as described above.Before input of the execution request of check processing from theoperator, he can designate, via the operation unit 204, which of themodes is adopted to operate the print apparatus 100. This configurationis also possible. For example, the operator can designate, in advancevia the operation unit 204, whether to resume the production printoperation upon accepting an instruction from the operator afterexecuting check print, or automatically resume the production printoperation after executing check print, as described above.

Concrete examples of this configuration will be explained below.

Assume that the operator presses the key 2301A during execution of theproduction print operation of a job for which he requests the start ofprinting with the start key 503, as described above. In response tothis, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to displaythe window 2300B. The operator selects the type of check print with thekey 2301B or key 2302B in the window 2300B.

After the operator selects the type of check print, the control unit 205causes the touch panel unit 401 to popup-display a window 2501 shown inFIG. 24. In the stage of displaying the window 2501 on the touch panelunit 401, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 so thatthe print apparatus 100 continues the production print operation of thejob. In this manner, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit401 to display the window 2501 before the printing system 1000 startscheck print of the job.

The window 2501 allows the operator to decide whether to automaticallyresume, immediately after executing check print, the production printoperation interrupted immediately before the start of check print, orwhether to resume it upon receiving an instruction from the operator.

The window 2501 has a device information display field 2502. The displayfield 2502 has the same function as the function of the window 2500.That is, the control unit 205 displays, in the display field 2502, imagedata representing a system outline coincident with the actual systemconfiguration of the printing system 1000. In addition, the control unit205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to add a mark “” in “red” to aportion indicating a destination serving as a production printedmaterial destination in the system outline in the display field 2502.Similarly, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to adda mark

in “blue” to a portion indicating a destination serving as the checkprinted material destination of the job in the system outline in thedisplay field 2502. The control unit 205 presents, in the display field2502, display contents which allow the operator to confirm theproduction printed material destination and check printed materialdestination of a job subjected to check print in the printing system1000. In this situation, no check print has started, so the window 2501displays a message “ready for check print.”

Keys 2503 and 2504 in the window 2501 are operation instruction unitswhich allow the operator to select whether to permit or inhibitautomatic execution of the production print operation again afterexecuting check print. The keys 2503 and 2504 are also used when theoperator inputs a formal instruction to start check print. In otherwords, when the operator presses either of the keys, the control unit205 interrupts the production print operation of a job subjected tocheck print and starts check print of the job. The keys 2503 and 2504are display keys having a plurality of functions.

Assume that the operator presses the key 2503 in the window 2501. Thiscase will be called the first case. In the first case, upon receiving aninput from the key 2503, the control unit 205 interrupts (stops) theproduction print operation of the job being printed. In response to theinterruption of the production print operation, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to automatically start check print ofa type designated with the key 2301B or 2302B as the check printoperation of the job. In response to execution of the check printoperation, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 toautomatically resume the production print operation of the job. A seriesof control operations in the first case corresponds to the controlsequence in FIG. 12B.

In contrast, assume that the operator presses the key 2504 in the window2501. This case will be called the second case. In the second case, uponreceiving an input from the key 2504, the control unit 205 interrupts(stops) the production print operation of the job being printed. Inresponse to the interruption of the production print operation, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to automaticallystart check print of a type designated with the key 2301B or 2302B asthe check print operation of the job. This operation is the same as inthe first case.

In the second case, however, the control unit 205 controls the printingsystem 1000 to wait for resume of the production print operation of thejob without automatically resuming it even after the end of the checkprint operation of the job.

In the second case, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401to display a popup window shown in FIG. 25 in response to the end of thecheck print operation of the job by the printing system 1000. The windowin FIG. 25 has keys 2601, 2602, and 2603.

The key 2601 is a display key used when the operator inputs aninstruction to stop processing without resuming the production printoperation of a job having undergone check print.

When the operator inputs this instruction via the key 2601, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to stop (cancel) processingof the job without resuming the production print operation of the job.When stopping processing of the job, the control unit 205 erases printdata of all the pages of the job from the HDD 209, as described above.When a subsequent queued job exists other than the target job, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to quickly read outprint data of the subsequent job from the HDD 209 and start printprocessing immediately after stopping the production print operation ofthe target job.

The key 2602 is a display key used when the operator inputs aninstruction to resume the production print operation by the printingsystem 1000. The key 2603 is a display key used when the operator inputsan instruction to change the printing conditions of the production printoperation prior to resume of the production print operation.

When the operator presses the key 2602 without pressing the key 2603,the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000 to resume theproduction print operation of the job without changing the printprocessing conditions of the production print operation. When resumingthe production print operation of the job without changing theprocessing conditions, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to print only part of the job that has not been printed beforeinterrupting printing.

Assume that the operator presses the key 2603 before he inputs aninstruction via the key 2602. In this case, the control unit 205 causesthe touch panel unit 401 to display a popup window 2701 shown in FIG.26. The window 2701 allows the operator to set and change the printingconditions of the production print operation of a job waiting for printresume.

For example, by using a display field 2702 in the window 2701 and theten-key pad 506 of the operation unit 204, the operator can change thenumber of copies of a job when the production print operation of the jobresumes. By using a slider 2703 in the window 2701, the operator canchange the print density when the production print operation of the jobresumes. The operator can change, via a key 2704 in the window 2701,post-processing to be executed by the sheet processing apparatus 200 forthe printed materials of the job when the production print operation ofthe job resumes. The operator can change, via a key 2705 in the window2701, print paper for use by the print apparatus 100 when the productionprint operation of the job resumes. By using a key 2706, the operatorcan change the binding margin. By using a key 2707, the operator canchange a setting of whether to perform single- or double-sided printing.

A key 2708 is a display key used when the operator inputs an instructionto end the popup display of the window 2701 and return to the window inFIG. 25.

The window 2701 can display the current progress of the production printoperation of the job. In the display example of FIG. 26, the window 2701displays a message that the production print operation is complete atpresent by 20 sets for a job requiring printing of 100 sets in total.

Assume that the operator changes the settings of the printing conditionsvia the window in FIG. 26, the window returns to one in FIG. 25, andthen the operator presses the key 2602 in the redisplayed window of FIG.25. In response to this, the control unit 205 causes the printing system1000 to resume the print operation of the waiting job. When resuming theprint operation, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000to resume the production print operation of the job undersetting-changed printing conditions accepted from the operator via thewindow in FIG. 26 before an input from the key 2602.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit401 to display various windows described with reference to FIGS. 14A to14H on the basis of a request from the operator before an input from thekey 2602. The control unit 205 can accept various requests as describedabove from the operator via these windows. As described above, thecontrol unit 205 can also accept a change of device-specific printprocessing conditions of the printing system 1000 that are associatedwith a plurality of jobs including the target job and other subsequentjobs. Assume that the operator inputs an instruction via the key 2602after changing the device-specific print processing conditions of theprinting system 1000 that are associated with a plurality of jobs. Inthis case, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tosuccessively process these jobs under the changed processing conditions.

A control sequence corresponding to a series of control operations inthe second case executed in accordance with an instruction from the key2504 is different from that in FIG. 12B. FIGS. 27A and 27B show thecontrol sequence corresponding to the series of control operations inthe second case. The control sequence in FIGS. 27A and 27B will beexplained.

The process in [step 1] during the period from time T0 to time TX inFIGS. 27A and 27B is the same as that in [step 1] during the period fromtime T0 to time TX in FIG. 12B. Similarly, the process in [step 2]during the period from time TX to time TY in FIGS. 27A and 27B is thesame as that in [step 2] during the period from time TX to time TY inFIG. 12B.

However, an instruction accepted by the control unit 205 at time TX inFIGS. 27A and 27B is a check print request based on an instruction fromthe key 2504. Even if the check print operation of the job endsimmediately before time TY in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the control unit 205inhibits the printing system 1000 from automatically resuming theproduction print operation of the job. From time TY in FIGS. 27A and27B, the control unit 205 makes the job stand by for resume ofproduction printing. While the job stands by for print resume, thecontrol unit 205 accepts various instructions as described above fromthe operator via the displays in FIGS. 25 and 26.

For example, in [step 3] of FIGS. 27A and 27B, the control unit 205accepts an instruction (corresponding to instruction A in FIGS. 27A and27B) to stop processing without resuming the production print operationof the job having undergone check print in [step 2] of FIGS. 27A and27B.

Alternatively, in [step 3] of FIGS. 27A and 27B, the control unit 205accepts an instruction (corresponding to instruction B in FIGS. 27A and27B) to resume the production print operation without changing theprinting conditions of the production print operation of the job havingundergone check print in [step 2] of FIGS. 27A and 27B.

Alternatively, in [step 3] of FIGS. 27A and 27B, the control unit 205accepts an instruction (corresponding to instruction C in FIGS. 27A and27B) to resume the production print operation after changing theprinting conditions of the production print operation of the job havingundergone check print in [step 2] of FIGS. 27A and 27B.

Upon accepting instruction A at time TZ in FIGS. 27A and 27B, thecontrol unit 205 controls to stop (end) processing without resuming theproduction print operation of the job having undergone check print, asrepresented by (processing A) in FIGS. 27A and 27B.

Upon accepting instruction B at time TZ in FIGS. 27A and 27B, thecontrol unit 205 controls to resume the production print operation ofthe job having undergone check print without changing the printingconditions, as represented by (processing B) in FIGS. 27A and 27B. In(processing B) of FIGS. 27A and 27B, the control unit 205 controls toprint only part of the job that has not been processed when theproduction print operation of the job is interrupted, as shown in FIGS.27A and 27B.

Upon accepting instruction C at time TZ in FIGS. 27A and 27B, thecontrol unit 205 controls to resume the production print operation ofthe job having undergone the check print operation under processingconditions changed via the display in FIG. 26, as represented by(processing C) in FIGS. 27A and 27B. In (processing C) of FIGS. 27A and27B, when the production print operation of the job resumes, only partof the job that has not been processed before interruption of printingcan be printed, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B. It is also possible tostart processing from the beginning depending on an instruction acceptedfrom the operator via the display in FIG. 26. It is also possible toresume the production print operation of the job by changing the numberof copies.

Time TZ in FIGS. 27A and 27B is the timing when the operator inputs aninstruction via the key 2602. In response to an input from the operatorvia the key 2602, the control unit 205 causes the printing system 1000to cancel the standby state of the job for resume of production printingand alternatively execute various processes described above in [step 4]of FIGS. 27A and 27B.

In [step 3] of FIGS. 27A and 27B, the job having undergone check printstands by for resume of the print operation. However, the printingsystem 1000 according to the embodiment is configured not to wastefullydecrease the operating ratio of the print operation, as described above.Also in [step 3] of FIGS. 27A and 27B, the control unit 205 enables theprinting system 1000 to execute the print operation of a subsequent jobother than the job having undergone check print. This will be describedlater.

As described above, prior to the start of check print of a target job,the control unit 205 can accept an inhibition request from the operatorvia the key 2504 to inhibit automatic resume of production printprocessing of the job after executing check print. The check printcorresponds to the above-mentioned second print processing, and theproduction print processing corresponds to the above-mentioned firstprint processing.

Assume that the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to startcheck print of the job upon accepting the inhibition request from theoperator via the key 2504. In this case, the control unit 205 inhibitsthe print apparatus 100 from automatically resuming production printprocessing of the job after executing check print. Also in this case,the control unit 205 makes the job stand by for resume of productionprint processing. On condition that the operator inputs an instructionvia the key 2602 to resume print processing of the job, the control unit205 causes the print apparatus 100 to resume production print processingof the job.

Assume that the control unit 205 starts check print processing of thejob without accepting the inhibition request from the operator via thekey 2504. In this case, the control unit 205 permits the print apparatus100 to automatically resume production print processing of the job afterexecuting check print.

For example, in the embodiment, prior to the start of check print of atarget job, the control unit 205 can accept a permission request fromthe operator via the key 2503 to permit automatic resume of productionprint processing of the job after executing check print. Upon acceptingthe permission request from the operator via the key 2504 withoutaccepting the above-mentioned inhibition request prior to the start ofcheck print, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 toautomatically resume production print processing of the job afterexecuting check print. In this case, the control unit 205 controls theprint apparatus 100 to resume production print processing of the jobimmediately after the end of check print without accepting theinstruction via the key 2602 after executing check print.

As described above, the printing system 1000 according to the embodimenthas the first operation mode related to a check print functioncorresponding to an instruction from the key 2503 in FIG. 24, and thesecond operation mode related to a check print function corresponding toan instruction from the key 2504 in FIG. 24. The control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to selectively execute these operationmodes in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Thisconfiguration is also applicable to the printing system 1000 accordingto the embodiment.

In addition to the above-described effects of the embodiment, theprinting system 1000 according to the embodiment can provide anothereffect capable of satisfying both of the following needs.

(First Need for Check Print) A need to make the production printoperation of a job stand by (locked) until a printed material isconfirmed.

(Second Need for Check Print) A need to process a print job at highproductivity without stopping the print operation even when check printis performed.

As a configuration different from them, the embodiment is alsoapplicable to a printing system having the above-mentionedconfiguration.

For example, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tooutput the check printed materials of a job to a destination differentfrom the production printed material destination of the job subjected tocheck print regardless of which of the first and second operation modesis set. Also in this case, the control unit 205 controls the operationunit 204 to notify the operator of information which allows him tospecify a production printed material destination and check printedmaterial destination, as represented in the display field 2502 of FIG.24. This configuration is also possible, and can further obtain variouseffects described above in both the first and second operation modes.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to executevarious operations as follows when the first and second operation modesof the check print function can be selectively executed.

Assume that the print apparatus 100 successively accepts the printexecution requests of four jobs A, B, C, and D using different inlinefinishers in the order from job A, as shown in FIG. 28, when theprinting system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG. 21. JobsA and B are saddle stitching jobs, job C is a stacker job, and job D isa glue binding job. This case will be called case X.

In case X, the control unit 205 may also execute the following controlwhen the operator presses the key 2503 in FIG. 24 prior to check printof job A. This control will be described with reference to FIG. 29.

First, upon receiving a print start request from the start key 503 orthe like, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to startthe production print operation of job A, as represented by referencenumeral 3001 in FIG. 29.

Then, upon receiving an input from the key 2503 during execution ofprinting of job A, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100to automatically start the check print operation of job A immediatelyafter interrupting the production print operation of job A, asrepresented by reference numeral 3002 in FIG. 29.

In response to the end of check print of job A, the control unit 205causes the print apparatus 100 to automatically resume the productionprint operation of job A, as represented by reference numeral 3003 inFIG. 29.

In response to the end of the production print operation of job A, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to sequentiallyprocess subsequent jobs B, C, and D in the order of receiving theirprint execution requests, as represented by reference numerals 3003 to3006 in FIG. 29.

More specifically, in response to the end of the production printoperation of job A, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100to automatically execute the production print operation of job B, asrepresented by reference numeral 3004 in FIG. 29.

In response to the end of the production print operation of job B, thecontrol unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to automatically executethe production print operation of job C, as represented by referencenumeral 3005 in FIG. 29.

In response to the end of the production print operation of job C, thecontrol unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to automatically executethe production print operation of job D, as represented by referencenumeral 3006 in FIG. 29.

The control unit 205 executes the series of control operations when theprinting system 1000 executes the first operation mode.

To the contrary, when the printing system 1000 executes the secondoperation mode, the control unit 205 executes the following series ofcontrol operations, which will be explained with reference to FIG. 30.The control unit 205 executes the series of control operations when theoperator presses the key 2504 in FIG. 24 prior to check print of job Ain the above-described case X.

First, upon receiving a print start request from the start key 503 orthe like, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to startthe production print operation of job A, as represented by referencenumeral 3101 in FIG. 30.

Then, upon receiving an input from the key 2504 during execution ofprinting of job A, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100to automatically start the check print operation of job A immediatelyafter interrupting the production print operation of job A, asrepresented by reference numeral 3102 in FIG. 30.

Assume that check print of job A ends, and the control unit 205determines that the production print operation resume request of job Ahas not been input from the key 2602. In this case, the control unit 205enables the print apparatus 100 to execute the print operation of asubsequent job without resuming the production print operation of job A.Job B whose print execution request is accepted immediately after job Ais a saddle stitching job requiring finishing by the same inlinefinisher as that for job A. In contrast, job C whose print executionrequest is accepted immediately after job B is a stacker job requiringfinishing by an inline finisher different from that for job A.

Based on these determination results, the control unit 205 causes theprint apparatus 100 to postpone the production print operations of jobsA and B and automatically execute the production print operation of jobC, as represented by reference numeral 3103 in FIG. 30.

Assume that the production print operation of job C ends, and thecontrol unit 205 determines that the production print operation resumerequest of job A has not been input from the key 2602. Also in thiscase, the control unit 205 enables the print apparatus 100 to executethe print operation of a subsequent job while keeping job A stand by forresume of the production print operation. The control unit 205determines that job D whose print execution request is acceptedimmediately after job C is a glue binding job requiring finishing by aninline finisher different from that for job A.

Based on this determination result, the control unit 205 causes theprint apparatus 100 to postpone the production print operations of jobsA and B and automatically execute the production print operation of jobD, as represented by reference numeral 3104 in FIG. 30.

Assume that the control unit 205 accepts the production print operationresume request of job A from the operator via the key 2602 duringexecution of printing of job D. In this case, the control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to complete the production printoperation of job D.

In response to the end of the production print operation of job D, thecontrol unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to resume the productionprint operation of job A, as represented by reference numeral 3105 inFIG. 30.

In response to the end of the production print operation of job A, thecontrol unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to automatically executethe production print operation of job B, as represented by referencenumeral 3106 in FIG. 30.

The control unit 205 executes the series of control operations when theprinting system 1000 executes the second operation mode.

As described above, when performing the second operation mode, thecontrol unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to change theexecution order of jobs and process them on the basis of systemconfiguration information of the printing system 1000, the finishingtypes of the jobs, and the like.

Under the control of the control unit 205, the print operation of theprinting system 1000 can continue without wastefully stopping even whenit is inhibited to automatically resume the production print operationwithout any instruction from the operator after executing check print.

Regardless of which of the control in FIG. 29 and that in FIG. 30 isexecuted, the control unit 205 inhibits output of the check printedmaterials of job A to a destination (one of Z1 to Z3) of the saddlestitching apparatus in FIG. 21 serving as the destination of theproduction printed materials of job A. Regardless of either control isexecuted, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 tooutput the check printed materials of job A to sample tray X2 of thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 21 serving as a destination different fromthat of the production printed materials of job A.

Hence, the embodiment can provide a printing system capable of furtherenhancing the above-described effects.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can accept a specificinstruction from the operator via the operation unit 204 to executecheck processing at a timing after the print apparatus 100 starts thefirst print processing. Especially in the embodiment, the control unit205 can accept the specific instruction from the operator via theoperation unit 204 while the print apparatus 100 executes the firstprint processing. The specific instruction corresponds to a check printexecution request accepted from the operator via the key 2304B, 2503, or2504 in the embodiment.

Upon accepting the specific instruction, the control unit 205 causes theprint apparatus 100 to execute check processing before the completion ofthe first print processing. In the embodiment, as the check processing,the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to execute thesecond print processing by using print data which is used in the firstprint processing. The first print processing corresponds to theproduction print operation of a job subjected to check print in theabove-described embodiment. The second print processing corresponds tothe check print operation of the job.

Immediately after the print apparatus 100 performs the second printprocessing, the control unit 205 enables the print apparatus 100 tocontinue the first print processing.

These configurations correspond to the control examples of the checkprint operation described with reference to FIGS. 12B to 14H.

The control unit 205 controls the print apparatus 100 to automaticallydecide a page to be printed in the second print processing on the basisof the timing when the operator inputs the specific instruction. Thisconfiguration corresponds to, e.g., the above-described control exampleexecuted when the operator presses the key 2302B in FIG. 13E.

The control unit 205 can repetitively accept the specific instructionfrom the operator during the period from the start to end of the firstprint processing. This configuration corresponds to the above-describedcontrol example executed when the operator inputs the second check printrequest with the key 2301A in FIG. 13F.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output at least one second sheet printed in the second printprocessing to a destination different from a plurality of first sheetsprinted by the print apparatus 100 in the first print processing. Thesefirst sheets correspond to production printed materials in theabove-described embodiment. One second sheet corresponds to the checkprinted materials for the job in the above-described embodiment.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the printing system1000 to output a plurality of first sheets to a destination inside aninline finisher. To the contrary, the control unit 205 controls theprinting system 1000 to output the second sheet to a destination outsidethe same inline finisher. In the above-described embodiment, thelarge-volume stacker in FIG. 4 is utilized as an inline finisher havinginternal and external destinations.

As another form, the control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000to output the first sheets to the destination of the second inlinefinisher (second post-processing apparatus) via the first inlinefinisher (first post-processing apparatus). To the contrary, the controlunit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output the second sheet tothe destination of the first inline finisher.

These configurations correspond to the control examples described withreference to FIGS. 20 and 21 and the like.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 causes a notification device tonotify the operator of notification information from which he canrecognize the destination of the second sheet. This configurationcorresponds to the control example described with reference to FIGS. 15and 24.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100to continue the first print processing without accepting a request fromthe operator using the operation unit 204 to continue the first printprocessing after the second print processing. This configurationcorresponds to the control example described with reference to FIG. 12Band the like.

As still another form, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus100 to continue the first print processing upon accepting a request fromthe operator using the operation unit 204 to continue the first printprocessing after the second print processing. This configurationcorresponds to the control example described with reference to FIGS. 27Aand 27B and the like. The control unit 205 enables the print apparatus100 to execute another print processing different from the first printprocessing until the control unit 205 accepts this request from theoperator upon completion of the second print processing. Thisconfiguration corresponds to the control example described withreference to FIG. 30 and the like.

Further in the embodiment, the control unit 205 enables the operator toselect the first or second operation mode via the operation unit 204prior to the start of the aforementioned check processing correspondingto the second print processing. In the first operation mode, the controlunit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 to continue the first printprocessing without accepting a request from the operator using theoperation unit 204 to continue the first print processing after thesecond print processing. In the second operation mode, the control unit205 causes the print apparatus 100 to continue the first printprocessing upon accepting a request from the operator using theoperation unit 204 to continue the first print processing after thesecond print processing.

These configurations correspond to the control examples described withreference to FIG. 24 and the like.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 can accept, from the operatorvia the operation unit 204, an instruction different from the specificinstruction prior to the start of the first print processing. Theinstruction different from the specific instruction corresponds to atest copy execution request accepted from the operator using the testcopy key in the window of FIG. 13A or the like in the above-describedembodiment. Upon accepting the instruction different from the specificinstruction, the control unit 205 causes the print apparatus 100 toexecute another processing different from the aforementioned checkprocessing. The processing different from check processing correspondsto the test copy operation described with reference to FIG. 12A and thelike. The check processing (corresponding to the second printprocessing, and in the embodiment, the check print operation) isavailable in changing printing conditions after the first printprocessing starts. In contrast, the processing different from checkprocessing is available in changing printing conditions before the firstprint processing starts.

The control unit 205 controls the printing system 1000 to output thesecond sheet printed in the second print processing corresponding to thecheck processing to a destination different from that of first sheetswithout outputting the second sheet to the destination of the firstsheets printed in the first print processing. The control unit 205controls the printing system 1000 to output a sheet printed in the testcopy operation corresponding to the processing different from checkprocessing to the same destination as that of the first sheets.

The test copy operation corresponding to the processing different fromcheck processing is available in changing printing conditions relatingto one print job. In contrast, the check print operation correspondingto the check processing is available in changing printing conditionsrelating to a plurality of print jobs.

In the embodiment, the control unit 205 controls the operation unit 204so that the operator can input the above-described specific instructionand the instruction different from it via the operation unit 204 for thesame job.

Various configurations described above correspond to selective controlexamples associated with test copy and check print described withreference to FIGS. 12A to 14H and the like.

The printing system 1000 according to the embodiment is configured byfreely combining these configurations compatibly.

[Other Mechanisms]

A host computer (e.g., the PC 103 or 104) may use an externallyinstalled program to achieve the functions shown in the drawings in theembodiment. In this case, data for displaying the same windows as thosedescribed in the embodiment including windows are externally installedto provide various user interface windows on the display of the hostcomputer.

For this purpose, a storage medium which records software program codesfor implementing the functions of the above-described embodiment issupplied to a system or apparatus. The computer (CPU or MPU) of thesystem or apparatus reads out and executes the program codes stored inthe storage medium, achieving the object of the present invention. Inthis case, the program codes read out from the storage medium implementnew functions of the present invention, and the storage medium whichstores the program codes constitutes the present invention. The programform is arbitrary such as an object code, a program executed by aninterpreter, or script data supplied to an OS as long as a programfunction is attained.

The storage medium for supplying the program includes a flexible disk,hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW,magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and DVD. In this case, theprogram codes read out from the storage medium implement the functionsof the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium which storesthe program codes constitutes the present invention.

As another program supply method, a client computer connects to anInternet homepage via the browser of the client computer. Then, thecomputer program of the present invention or a compressed filecontaining an automatic installing function is downloaded from thehomepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk, thereby supplyingthe program. The program can also be implemented by grouping programcodes which form the program of the present invention into a pluralityof files, and downloading the files from different homepages. That is,claims of the present invention also incorporate a WWW server, FTPserver, and the like which prompt a plurality of users to download theprogram files for implementing functional processes of the presentinvention by a computer.

The program of the present invention can be encrypted, stored in astorage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to a user. A user whosatisfies predetermined conditions is prompted to download decryptionkey information from a homepage via the Internet. The user executes theencrypted program using the key information, and installs the program inthe computer.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are implemented when thecomputer executes the readout program codes. Also, the functions of theabove-described embodiment are implemented when an OS (Operating System)or the like running on the computer performs some or all of actualprocesses on the basis of the instructions of the program codes.

The program codes read out from the storage medium may be written in thememory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or thememory of a function expansion unit connected to the computer. In thiscase, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unitperforms some or all of actual processes on the basis of theinstructions of the program codes. These processes also implement thefunctions of the above-described embodiment.

The present invention may be applied to a system including a pluralityof devices or an apparatus formed by a single device. The presentinvention can also be achieved by supplying a program to the system orapparatus. In this case, the system or apparatus can obtain the effectsof the present invention by providing, to the system or apparatus, astorage medium which stores a program represented by software forachieving the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment,and various modifications (including organic combinations ofembodiments) can be made without departing from the gist of theinvention, and are not excluded from the scope of the invention.

For example, in the embodiment, jobs controlled by the test copyfunction and check print function may include a print job to be printedfrom an application in a PC. In this case, the job also contains a formof instructing the print job saved in the hard disk on check print.Thus, a job to the box function can also be processed similarly.

For example, colored paper and the like may be output to a destinationto which the printed materials of check print are output. The printingsystem may prompt the operator to identify the destination of checkprinted materials by notification processing other than displayprocessing in FIG. 15.

The embodiment of the system configuration having various configurationsdescribed above can attain various effects described above. However, thesystem configuration need not comprise all these configurations. Forexample, a configuration capable of executing only control of a mainpart associated with the check print function in the above-describedembodiment is applicable to the embodiment. The embodiment hasillustrated a configuration in which the control unit 205 executesoperation control associated with the operation unit 204 and outputcontrol associated with the actual print operation of the printingsystem 1000. However, another control unit such as an operation controlunit may perform the operation control.

For example, the embodiment has explained an exemplary configuration inwhich the control unit 205 of the print apparatus 100 executes theabove-described control operations. However, another control unitdifferent from the control unit 205 may execute some or all of thecontrol operations. Examples of another control unit different from thecontrol unit 205 are the external controller of a housing different fromthe print apparatus 100, the CPU of a remote external apparatus such asthe PC 104, and the CPU of an inline finisher. This configuration canfurther improve the effect capable of building a flexible printingenvironment complying with a printing environment where the printingsystem 1000 may be installed. The embodiment can provide a convenientprinting system with an eye toward a future digital printing system. Forexample, the embodiment can establish a convenient, flexible printingenvironment capable of coping with use cases and needs assumed in theconventional POD environment. The embodiment can provide variousmechanisms toward practical application of the printing system.

Various examples and embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the spiritand scope of the invention are not limited to a specific description inthe specification.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application Nos.2006-203737, filed Jul. 26, 2006, 2006-168881, filed Jun. 19, 2006, and2007-109682, filed Apr. 18, 2007, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

1. A printing system comprising: a receive controller that enables byusing a user interface unit an input of an instruction during performingof first print processing with a print apparatus; and an operationcontroller that enables the print apparatus to perform check processingbefore completion of the first print processing in the case where theinstruction is input, the check processing being second print processingby using print data which is used in the first print processing, theoperation controller enabling the print apparatus to continue the firstprint processing after the second print processing.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a page printed in the second printprocessing is automatically decided on the basis of timing when theinstruction is input.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein theinstruction can be input repetitively during a period from start to endof the first print processing.
 4. The system according to claim 1,wherein a second sheet printed in the second print processing is outputto a destination different from a destination of first sheets printed inthe first print processing.
 5. The system according to claim 4, whereinthe first sheets are output to a destination inside a post-processingapparatus, and the second sheet is output to a destination outside thepost-processing apparatus.
 6. The system according to claim 4, whereinthe first sheets are output to a destination of a second post-processingapparatus via a first post-processing apparatus, and the second sheet isoutput to a destination of the first post-processing apparatus.
 7. Thesystem according to claim 4, wherein a notification unit outputsnotification information which enables an operator to identify thedestination of the second sheet.
 8. The system according to claim 1,wherein the operation controller enables the print apparatus to continuethe first print processing without inputting a request by using the userinterface unit after the second print processing.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the operation controller enables the printapparatus to continue the first print processing after a request isinput by using the user interface unit after the second printprocessing.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the operationcontroller enables the print apparatus to perform another printprocessing different from the first print processing before the requestis input by using the user interface unit.
 11. The system according toclaim 1, further comprising: a selector that selects one of a first modeand a second mode before the check processing, the first mode forcausing the print apparatus to continue the first print processingwithout inputting a request by using the user interface unit after thesecond print processing, the second mode for causing the print apparatusto continue the first print processing after the request is input byusing the user interface unit after the second print processing.
 12. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the receive controller enables byusing the user interface unit an input of another instruction differentfrom the instruction before the first print processing, the operationcontroller causing the print apparatus to perform another processingdifferent from the check processing in the case where the anotherinstruction is input, the another processing being utilized in changinga printing condition before start of the first print processing, thecheck processing being utilized in changing a printing condition afterstart of the first print processing.
 13. The system according to claim12, wherein a second sheet printed in the second print processing isoutput to a destination different from a destination of first sheetsprinted in the first print processing, and sheets printed in the anotherprocessing are output to the same destination as the destination of thefirst sheets.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the anotherprocessing is utilized in changing a printing condition relating to aprint job, and the check processing is utilized in changing a printingcondition relating to a plurality of print jobs.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the instruction and the anotherinstruction can be input for one job.
 16. A job processing methodcomprising the steps of: enabling by using a user interface unit aninput of an instruction during performing of first print processing witha print apparatus; enabling the print apparatus to perform checkprocessing before completion of the first print processing in the casewhere the instruction is input, the check processing being second printprocessing by using print data which is used in the first printprocessing; and enabling the print apparatus to continue the first printprocessing after the second print processing.
 17. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causinga computer to execute a job processing method defined in claim 16.